Beijing, China, March 30, 2005 — In a bid to restore the bygone glory when China won five successive world titles in the 1980’s, the China Volleyball Association has put forward ambitions, plans and aims for all Chinese Volleyball players, including both Volleyball and Beach Volleyball, for the next four years.

Executive Vice President of the Chinese Volleyball Association Xu Li stated the objectives at a meeting of Chinese Volleyball leaders and coaches, which stipulated that in the next four years, the Chinese women’s national team will aim to win three major Volleyball tournaments, namely the 2006 World Championship, the 2007 World Cup and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Pic: The Chinese women’s team celebrate winning the 2003 World Cup
The Chinese women’s team dominated the sport between 1981 and 1986, winning two World Championship titles (1982 and 1986), an Olympic gold medal in Los Angeles in 1984, and two World Cup titles in 1981 and 1985. The team is now under pressure to deliver due to their tremendous victories in the past two years where they clinched the World Cup Crown in 2003 and Olympic gold in 2004 under the coaching of Chen Zhenghe, which has boosted China’s confidence greatly.

In addition to the three title objectives, the Chinese women’s team is also aiming to finish first in all Asia tournaments in the next three years. However, Mr. Li, admitted that the task and challenges facing them are huge, especially considering there are many strong teams in the world.

He said Cuba, who were the only team to defeat China at the 2004 Olympics, has now a very young generation of players that are growing very quickly, while USA, coached by the great Lang Ping, Russia and Brazil have shown what they are capable of when they have beaten China in the past.

”So though we have been steadily improving since the team was re-established in 2001 and have achieved World Cup and Olympic victories, we are under great pressure and we must keep clear-headed, making a sober estimate of our rivals’ capabilities,” Mr. Li said. “No team can be certain of victory. The competition facing us will be very tough and hard.”

As for the Chinese men’s team, the aim set for them is to finish in the top 12 teams at the 2006 World Championship, to reach the top eight in the 2007 World Cup and top 10 in the Beijing Olympic Games. The Chinese Men’s national team hasn’t qualified for the Olympic Games since 1988.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Volleyball Association hopes to improve the level of Beach Volleyball and lessen the gap between their national teams and the top teams in the world. One of the major aims set down for Beach Volleyball is for China’s women’s and men’s teams to finish in the top eight and top 16 at the 2008 Olympic Games respectively.