SPORTS> China
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SPORTS> China
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China to launch world's first diving league
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-02-17 14:37 SHENZHEN: China plans to help commercialize competitive diving by launching the world's first professional league this year, according to Chinese officials.
"We have organized a Diving Champions Tour in China over the last few years and the sport has become more popular thanks to broadcasts by CCTV Sports Channel," Zhou Jihong, the leader of China's national team, said Saturday on the sidelines of the 15th FINA Grand Prix in Shenzhen. "We think we can launch a new form of diving competition - the Diving League - to make the sport more competitive and attractive, " she added. Zhou, who won the country its first Olympic diving gold medal at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles, said the league could run for a short two-week stint in December. This date would accommodate a busy diving calendar that includes the World Championships in Rome in July and the National Games of China in October. "Those (two events) will be our top priority in 2009, so December would be an ideal time for the league," she said. Foreign divers may also be invited to compete. "I am aware of the various challenges, such as sponsorship, venues and promotion, she said, adding that such details have yet to be finalized. "But the new Diving League will definitely debut at the end of this year." China's so-called Dream Team collected seven of eight diving gold medals at the Beijing Olympics last August, but now it has broadened its scope. "Our target is to further develop the sport - not just in China, but around the world," Zhou said. Xinhua |
