Angolan beach volleyball player Emanuel Fernands said Wednesday that he felt very proud to be one of the only African duo to compete in the Olympic beach volleyball tournament.

"I am proud to be here because we not only represent our country, but also the whole African continent," Fernands said after a two-hour training at Chaoyang Park in eastern Beijing Wednesday afternoon.

Fernands and his partner Morals Abreu, ranked 22nd in Olympic beach volleyball standing, arrived in Beijing Tuesday.

"We came here not for the medal but for our country," Fernands told Xinhua.

The 1.9-meter athlete said that not many Angolan people play beach volleyball although they like watching the game very much.

"Angola has many beaches, but we don't have sponsors, venues and coaches for the event," he said.

Fernands began his beach volleyball career in 1992. The 41-year-old veteran said he had been to Shanghai city which left deep impression on him.

"China has helped Angola in many aspects, which won respect from the Angolan people," Fernands said.

Since the establishment of Chinese-Angolan diplomatic relations 25 years ago, their bilateral ties have maintained smooth development.

China encourages its enterprises to take part in Angola's economic construction as Angola has become China's biggest trading partner in Africa.

(Xinhua News Agency, August 7, 2008)