"We're so interested in sports, especially basketball. So we all hope the Olympics can be held in our country," Cewangtar said.

However, the monks have only three TV sets. Furthermore, according to monastery rules, they have to wait until weekends to watch sports TV programs, including NBA games. Cewangtar said during the Olympics, monks will be allowed to watch TV every day.

"I will watch basketball and track and field," Nyi'ma Doje said after sinking a three-point shot while playing a pick-up game with his fellow monks.

"I hope the Chinese team puts in a good performance, especially Yao Ming."

Cewangtar said: "Sports and Buddhism are connected. Sports can make people strong and healthy.

"Without a healthy body, one cannot practice Buddhism effectively."

(Xinhua News Agency April 22, 2008)