IN BRIEF (Page 22)
Badminton
Olympic champion Zhang Jun switches to coaching
Veteran mixed doubles master Zhang Jun has been appointed assistant coach of the national women's doubles team after retiring from the national team.
With the Beijing Olympic Games fast approaching, the two-time mixed doubles Olympic gold medalist - in 2000 Sydney Games and 2004 Athens Games - said it was a pity he wouldn't have the chance to play on the greatest stage in front of a home crowd.
"When head coach Li Yongbo told me the team's decision, I was a little bit lost," said Zhang, who together with partner Gao Lin was almost invincible in major international competitions between 2000 and 2004.
"It was so sudden that I could not take it right away.
"I appreciate their trust on my coaching ability, though I still need some time to get used to the new role."
Zhang had been laid up since July, while the meteoric rise of Gao's new partner, Zheng Bo, also dashed Zhang's comeback hopes.
Volleyball
New Year to see ace spiker Zhao Ruirui return
Chinese volleyball player Zhao Ruirui has set her comeback date as January 1 after a long-term recovery from injury, a national volleyball team official has revealed.
Team director Li Quanqiang said Zhao's return would be in time for China's final preparation for the Beijing Olympics, where the national squad will be defending champion.
A correspondent of The Beijing News saw Zhao with a bandage around her knee during a training session last Wednesday in Beilun in eastern China's Zhejiang Province.
Li Quanqiang said Zhao's physical strength had gradually been returning and that her training was back on track.
Soccer
Pepsi Soccer Challenge kicks off national finals
The National Finals of the 2007 Pepsi 5on5 Soccer Challenge will take place from September 8-9 in Beijing.
Winning teams from different competition zones will fight for the final champion and also the chance to compete with Pepsi-sponsored superstars in England.
Last year, the Shenyang Feilong Team won the 2006 tournament and traveled to Spain to challenge Barcelona's Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho.
The annual nationwide soccer gala was founded by Pepsi seven years ago as part of a grassroots development program.
It has gained increasing popularity among teenage players, with 19 competition zones and a total of 250,000 players involved this year.
In conjunction with the challenge, the Gatorade 3on3 Basketball Challenge will also host national finals with the winning team awarded a chance to watch an NBA game live in the USA.
(China Daily 08/30/2007 page22)
