IN BRIEF (Page 22)

Athletics

Banned star runner back for Xiamen marathon

Chinese long-distance runner Sun Yingjie will make her comeback debut after a two-year doping ban at the Xiamen International Marathon, which takes place on January 5, 2008.

The Xiamen marathon is also the final 2008 Beijing Olympics long-distance qualifier. But Sun's head coach played down Sun's chances of grabbing an Olympic spot.

"She is training in Kunming right now, but is still a ways away from her best form," said Tao Shaoming.

"We do not think too much about the Beijing Olympics. Anyway, she has been out of competition for a long time and the most important thing is to get back on track as soon as possible."

Sun, the 10,000m bronze medalist at the 2003 world championships, was back in training after completing a two-year ban in October for testing positive at China's National Games in 2005.

Basketball

CBA teams up with Rockets to stage training camp

Young Chinese basketball players will have a chance to receive instructions from Houston Rockets head coach Rick Adelman at the Anta Star Training Camp next year.

Organized by CBA- and Rockets-partner Anta Sports Products Limited, the camp is open to all promising players from CBA teams and is set to be joined by Adelman and Anta-sponsored Rockets stars Steve Francis and Luis Scola, as well as Bonzi Wells, who signed with Anta on Sunday.

"We will do all we can to help young players grow," said CBA chief Li Yuanwei. "Cooperating with the Rockets is a historic step for CBA. I am sure there is a lot to learn for our teenage stars teaming up with Rockets.

"Capitalizing on Houston's scientific training systems and advanced training equipment, the overall competitiveness and competence of Chinese basketball players will be elevated. This would help improve the overall standard of Chinese basketball teams and foster cultural exchanges between Chinese and American basketball."

GOLF

Golf Channel launched in Beijing

The Golf Channel, China's first professional television channel dedicated to the sport, launched in Beijing on Tuesday.

Founded in Gongdong Province in 2006, the premium channel provides live coverage to a total of 50 major PGA events and the renowned World Golf Championships.

It also features a series of golf culture and coaching programs.

The channel was founded by Gongdong Golf Channel, Beijing Gohoo Group and Beijing All Media and Culture Group.

"The channel offers golf fans a very good platform to know about the sport," said Wang Liwei, vice-director of the Chinese Golf Association. "We don't have much choice on watching golf events but now you can enjoy it 24 hours a day. This is good news for us."

(China Daily 12/26/2007 page22)