IN BRIEF (Page 23)

Volleyball

Zhao injured again

Zhao Ruirui, the star spiker for China women's volleyball team, suffered another injury over the weekend during a resembled training in Chenzhou, Hunan province.

Zhao sprained her ankle during a routine training session, though the team doctor said it was not serious.

The towering player is expected to return to the court in a few days.

China, the reigning Olympic champion, has been struggling with injuries for the past year. Its pivotal setter Feng Kun is still out of action with a knee injury.

"It's very hard for me to find the balance. We want them to come back and train as soon as possible, but I am afraid the intensity of training will make them get injured again," said head coach Chen Zhonghe.

"But if I rest them or lower the training intensity, I am concerned that they won't be able to reach their best form before the Beijing Games."

Motor sports

Title to be settled in Shanghai

As the thrilling third season of A1GP draws to a close, the title battle is wide open. The competition is tighter than ever with eight teams still mathematically in contention for the honors, as the World Cup of motor sports returns to China for the penultimate round this weekend in Shanghai (April 11-13).

With 64 points still up for grabs in the final two rounds, eight of the 22 competing nations are still mathematically in contention for the prestigious championship.

New Zealand's Jonny Reid took his third sprint-race victory of the season in Mexico, moving the Kiwis up to second place in the championship, 15 points behind Switzerland.

Current title-leader Switzerland arrives in China on 128 points ahead of New Zealand on 113, with former champion France on 108. China sits in 10th place with only 45 points.

Miscellaneous

Haiyang to host beach games

Haiyang, Shandong province, will host the Third Asian Beach Games in 2012.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), China State General Administration of Sports and the Haiyang municipal government signed the hosting contract on Sunday in Beijing, making China the only Asian country to host the Asian Games, Asian Winter Games, Asian Beach Games and other top-rated Asian sports meets.

The first Asian Beach Games will be held in Bali Island, Indonesia, in October. Muscat of Oman will host the second beach games in 2010.

The games will feature beach, water and indoor racing programs. The Haiyang event will include events such as beach volleyball, beach soccer, beach kabaddi, triathlon, dragon boat, roller skating, street dancing and martial arts.

Around 10,000 athletes, officials and journalists will come to Haiyang for the event.

(China Daily 04/08/2008 page23)