Three teams tipped as badminton title contenders at China's National Games
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-10-06 10:57

Three among 12 teams competing in the badminton women's group at China's Tenth National Games are champion hopefuls, observers said.

Hunan was the champion for the women's team event in 2001. Facing a series of problems including lack of young talents, it is almost impossible to renew its glory.

Having talented players in both singles and doubles at hand, Jiangsu, Liaoning and Guangdong provinces are serious title contenders this year.

"I am not sure who is to win, but Guangdong and Liaoning are highly possible," Chinese top player Gao Ling on the sidelines of the event.

Meanwhile, some experts said host Jiangsu also has the potential to claim the women's team gold.

Guangdong is not only powerful but also lucky as it was pitted in the E bracket against Sichuan, Hunan, Guangxi, Fujian and Hubei. As the preliminary results count in the final phase, Guangdong needs only to beat three provinces to be the number one of the E bracket.

Jiangsu, with good players at different ages, called back Dai Yun and Qian Hong from abroad. "Jiangsu has many talented players, they are on the first ladder in China. They shall be successful," Hunan coach Tang Hui said.

World women's number two Zhang Ning, although at the age of 30, together with Du Jing and Yu Yang builds up another hopeful team, Liaoning in north China. Liaoning in the F bracket would need only take limited efforts to win a ticket for the semi-final game, as it beat Chongqing and Zhejiang in the tryout.

A total of 265 players from 16 teams, including top players Lin Dan and Xie Xingfang, gathered here Wednesday for the badminton event of China's Tenth National Games.

The badminton competition is set to be of world class. Star players who will feature in the competition include men's singles world number one Lin Dan of the People's Liberation Army delegation, women's singles world number one Xie Xingfang of Guangdong province, Olympic champion Zhang Ning of Liaoning province.

The National Games, billed as China's mini-Olympics, is a multi-sports event which feature both summer and winter sports.

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