Digest

BASKETBALL

Elite college players to compete in WCBA

China's standout college players will compete in the upcoming Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) league.

The 2021-22 WCBA season will tip off on Nov 14 and conclude on Jan 4 next year. According to the competition schedule released on Wednesday, the new campaign features 18 teams, including the Federation of University Sports of China (FUSC)United Team, a side solely comprised of college players.

FUSC United Team's 16 players have been plucked mainly from Beijing Normal University, champion of the 23rd edition of the Chinese University Basketball Association (CUBA) league. They include Tang Ziting and Liu Yutong, who were selected to China's national squad in preparation for the Tokyo Olympic Games earlier this year.

SOCCER

Player urges help for struggling Hebei FC

A player from financially stricken Hebei FC has urged the government to step in to save the Chinese Super League club.

The Langfang-based team, which once shelled out big money for foreign stars Javier Mascherano and Ezequiel Lavezzi, has ceased office operations and in October suspended training for four of its youth teams due to money woes.

Lei Tenglong, who joined Hebei early this year, conceded that the club is in dire straits.

"At the time of my arrival, the club told me that its financial situation was rather grim. Now it has become much more difficult, struggling to sustain the club's daily operations," said the 30-year-old central defender.

Lei believes the club needs government assistance to survive. "As things are becoming very hard for all of us, we hope the government can expedite the process to help the club. We players cannot wait indefinitely," he said.

Conte vows to revive Tottenham's fortunes

Antonio Conte on Wednesday said managing Tottenham was an "honor" and vowed to "repay the trust" of chairman Daniel Levy by reviving the fortunes of the struggling English Premier League club.

The Italian was appointed on Tuesday, a day after Spurs fired Nuno Espirito Santo following last weekend's limp 3-0 defeat at home to Manchester United.

Conte, who guided Chelsea to the 2016-17 Premier League title, said Levy's "contagious enthusiasm and determination" convinced him to join.

"It's a great pleasure, a great honor to become the Tottenham manager. This is a great opportunity to come back to England in a club of top players," he told Spurs TV.

"The club and Daniel Levy wanted me strongly and it has been an honor to accept. Now, for sure, I want to repay this trust."

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Rodgers in COVID-19 protocol, out Sunday

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is in the NFL's COVID-19 protocol, leaving the NFL's hottest team without the reigning MVP.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Wednesday that Rodgers was in the protocol, but would not say if Rodgers had tested positive nor if Rodgers has been vaccinated. A source told ESPN the 37-year-old had tested positive.

Rodgers will not be available Sunday when the Packers (7-1) put their seven-game win streak on the line at the Kansas City Chiefs (4-4).

"Got to have that next-man-up mentality. That's the leader of our team, so yeah, it was just crazy news," Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark said.

The NFL is planning to review how the Packers have handled the league's COVID-19 protocols.

Xinhua - Agencies