American league still wishing on a star
American National Football League (NFL) club New England Patriots tight end Ben Watson was wearing the No 11 shirt of Houston Rockets basketball star Yao Ming as he instructed fans and players in Beijing.
With NBA and baseball authorities stepping up efforts to increase their popularity in China, late starter NFL is also gearing up to develop the sport and find a "Yao Ming" of its own.
"Yao Ming is a great basketball player and a great athlete. Many in China love basketball. I think some will transfer to football. Some people in the NFL used to be basketball players. The same thing could happen in China," Watson told China Daily.
"I do not know when. But there is a Yao Ming in the NBA and there will be a Yao Ming in the NFL."
Watson and a delegation of NFL and Patriots officials are aiming to raise the profile of "America's favorite sport" - an alien activity to most Chinese people.
Aware of the scale of their task, the NFL has so far concentrated on developing the non-contact version of American football in schools.
"We're here to encourage and support those 5,000 kids who are playing flag football here in China," Watson said.
"Hopefully with the development one day there'll be a Yao Ming of the NFL. We know the Chinese have a great tradition in athletics and we hope they can continue it in football."
It will be an uphill struggle, as witnessed by the postponement until 2009 of the inaugural China Bowl between the Patriots and Seattle Seahawks scheduled for this August due to a lack of interest.
Shrugging off concerns about whether Chinese people are big and strong enough to play the sport, Watson believes everyone is able to play American football.
"It is a fun game. It is a simple game. You see it on TV, it is rough and tough, but anybody can play it. You can play anywhere."
"Football's not all about athleticism, it's about strategy and teamwork and these things are deeply rooted in Chinese culture," said Watson, who is 1.90m tall and weighs 115kg.
"People come in all shapes and sizes. You've got guys like Yao Ming here and I was in the Pearl Market the other day and I saw some guys bigger and stronger than me.
"We're not here to start a new NFL, we're coming here to try and tell people who think it's impossible to play American Football that it's not. Everything starts somewhere."
Watson is optimistic about the potential of the sport's development in China
"The sky is the limit. There was a time when the football was not very popular in the USA. Now football is the most popular sport in America.
"You can see people playing football here in China. It is really good. I was very surprised. I was excited to play with such good players.
"Like I saw today and yesterday, I am sure more and more people will play football and eventually there may be an NFL-style league here in China."
Kickers selected
Four Chinese kickers were selected last year to take part in NFL Europa, NFL's development league in Europe. Li Chaoran and Shen Yalei were members of the Amsterdam Admirals while Ding Long and Gao Wei were with the Berlin Thunder. All are vying to ultimately compete in the NFL.
Li, 25, who was a professional soccer player in China's second division league before entering Beijing Sports University four years ago, is considered the most likely to make it.
"I felt I was lucky when I was introduced to the sport last year. All of us made rapid progress in Europe and know exactly what the sport entails," Li told China Daily.
"Actually it is not a very difficult game. It is just like soccer. It is a sport that needs teamwork and tactics.
"Chinese people are smart and we are definitely able to play the game," smiled Li.
Although NFL Europa has been canceled after 16 years, support for Li's career will continue.
As well as a training session with NFL club Oakland Raiders in August, NFL is also planning to send him to Mexico, Canada or Japan, where American football is played.
Li believes his hard work will pay off.
"I will further polish my skills. And also I will make myself stronger, both mentally and physically."
Li added his first goal is to win a chance to compete during the China Bowl between the Patriots and Seattle Seahawks in 2009.
"I am looking forward to being a member of the competition. Furthermore, I hope one day I will become the first Chinese to compete in NFL and show the Chinese audience how the sport is played."
(China Daily 07/11/2007 page22)
