China does not expect to win any medal in the Hong Kong Sevens because the team's key players are injured, said coach Zheng Hongjun.

China will play against Kenya, Portugal and Scotland in the event. However, the tournament will be a great experience for the players, Zheng said.

Five leading players, including He Zhongliang, will be out of the tournament because of injuries.

"The team cannot bring the talents into full play. We just take the competition as a training for new players," Zheng said. "Besides, there are not many competitions in China, and the players are not experienced."

However, Zheng is confident that rugby will get the much-needed boost in China especially after the Olympics in August.

"We will actively promote the sport in China, making more youngsters interested in it. Young players should be targeted in promotional campaigns," he said.

Both Garner Yu Guoliang and Li Shufeng, who will not represent china in this year's Sevens, also expressed hope that the sport has a promising future in China.

Yu hoped that there would be more commercial sponsorship, making organizing competitions easier.

Li said more mainlanders were attracted to play sports after various Olympics promotional activities were launched.

"I believe the promotions will continue even after the Olympics," he said, adding that China has made improvement in rugby.

(HK Edition 03/28/2008 page4)