China basketball star center Yao Ming believes China Basketball Association (CBA)'s decision to cut the league matches in order to give more time to the national team's preparation for 2008 Beijing Olympics may undermine the sport's grass root development.

"We will pay for that. It is like killing the hen to get the eggs," said the Houston Rockets superstar.

Official from CBA announced last week that China's basketball super league will cancel 100 games in the upcoming season to give its national team more time to train and complete overseas.

The Yao Ming-led Chinese squad finished with a modest 11th place at the World Championships, which wrapped up in Japan last month. CBA officials said the reduced number of games is a response to the decision of the General Administration of Sports.

But Yao saw the format change from a different point of view.

"The lack of matches will effect the passion of players and coaches. CBA is the best stage for local players to show themselves.

"The change is a setback for the 11-year-old league, which has made rapid improvement over the past two seasons. CBA has established a good image among the fans. I think many of them will be disappointed."

Yao also singled out the importance of sponsorship to a sport's long-time development.

"When a league is not well protected by long and stable rules, the sponsors will be at a loss as how to get the gain from their investment.

"It is for sure that their interests have suffered a blow. A league can not progress smoothly without sponsors' involvement."

According to the cut plan, the national team will have 28 more days for resembled training.

But extra training takes place in April when the leagues in Europe and NBA are in full swing..

"I do not think we will be able to find strong opponents at that time. The quality is more important than quantity," Yao added. "So the 28-plus days will have little meaning if we can not compete with strong teams from Europe and America."

Apart from basketball, the decisions to cut leagues of volleyball and table tennis have also been reached at the end of last month.

While the struggling China Super League is also likely to join in the controversial sacrifice project for the 2008 Olympics on home soil.

Birthday boy

Yao is celebrating his 26-year-old birthday today but has had his eyes on the upcoming new NBA season.

"We have new faces in the team. And I hope we are able to advance into the third round of playoffs.

"We have been at the first round but did not make it last season.

"I am 26-year-old. There is no excuse to say I am still growing up. It is time to have good results," said Yao, who will set off in early next month.

The Shanghai-born center has established himself as one of the dominant forces at the World Championships, by averaging 25.3 points but is determined to contribute more for Houston Rockets.

"As a dominant center, you need to lead your team to victories and win NBA championships. Shaq O'Neal has achieved the goal, but I have not yet."

(China Daily September 12, 2006)