Unlike soccer and basketball, which have domestic league competition and huge business market in many countries around the world, diving remains one of the non-commercialized sport.

China, however, plans to launch the first ever Diving League in 2009, an official revealed on Saturday on the sidelines of the 15th FINA Grand Prix in Shenzhen.

"We have organized Diving Champions Tour in China over the last few years and diving has become more popular thanks to the broadcasting by the CCTV Sports Channel," said Zhou Jihong, the team leader of the Chinese national diving team.

"We think we can launch a new form of diving competition - the Diving League - to make the sport more competitive and attractive," she added.

Zhou, who won China its first Olympic diving gold medal at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles, said the unprecedented diving League may run for about two weeks in December.

"Because July's World Championships in Rome and the National Games of China in October will our top priority in 2009. December would be an ideal time for the League," she explained.

Foreign divers may also be invited to compete in the Chinese league, said Zhou.

"I know that there must be many unknown challenges, such as sponsorship, venues and promotion. Details about the operation of the League are yet to be finalized since the plan is still under discussion," Zhou said.

"But for sure, the Diving League will make its debut at the end of this year."

Dubbed as the "Dream Team", the Chinese divers collected 7 gold medals out of 8 on offer at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

"Our target is to further develop the sport in China and in the world as well, not just for winning more medals," Zhou said.

(Xinhua News Agency February 14, 2009)