Du Feng explains game tactics to his players of CBA defending champions Guandong in a CBA game against Shanxi on Nov. 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)
"Mission Impossible", that was what the newly-appointed coach Du Feng talked about his team's prospect at the Tokyo 2020 qualifying games next year. But he insisted that the reform has a long way to go.
BEIJING, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Du Feng, the new head coach of China's national men's basketball team, says reform of the sport in China still has a long way to go.
China failed to directly qualify for next year's Olympic Games after a disappointing performance at the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Despite being tournament hosts, China only ranked 24 out of 32 teams with two wins and three defeats.
"The team is going through a very difficult time. Our basketball players and fans can see the gap between us and the leading teams through the World Cup hosted at home. Closing that gap should be our number one priority," Du said.
Yao Ming (R), chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association, communicates with Li Nan, the former head coach of China after the Group M match between China and Nigeria at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province on Sept. 8, 2019. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
The Chinese Basketball Association announced Du as the new national team head coach on October 31.
Compared with foreign coaches, Du told Xinhua he believes a Chinese coach will have an advantage in understanding Chinese players' mentality.
The first task for Du's team is the FIBA Olympic qualifying games in June next year, which Du called "Mission Impossible".
"After the end of next year's CBA league, the training period for the national team will be very short. It's much more difficult than the World Cup," Du said.
Li Nan (R), the former head coach of China, leaves the court after the Group M match between China and Nigeria. China failed to secure a ticket to Tokyo 2020 at the World Cup hosted at home this summer, which directly made the Chinese Basketball Association replace Li with Du Feng as the head coach. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
China has never missed an Olympic Games since 1984. However, considering the difficulty of the Olympic qualifiers, there are concerns that the national team may not perform well in the upcoming games. Du urged fans to have more patience with the team.
"Chinese basketball needs to continue with its reforms and has a long way to go," Du said. "This project may require generations of efforts, and more understanding and tolerance from all walks of life." ■
