Chinese Volleyball Withdraws from World Cup
China's women's volleyball team has decided to withdraw from their participation in the 2007 World Cup tournament set for Japan from November 1 to December 2.
Guangzhou-based Yangcheng Evening News reports the head coach of the Chinese women's team, Chen Zhonghe, said his squad will pay full attention to the preparation for the Beijing Olympics, with only the World Women's Volleyball Grand Prix in sight for this year.
Chen added the match-free year will leave enough time for his players to recover from injuries.
Team captain Feng Kun and fragile blocker Zhao Ruirui have been in the United States for surgery and will return home in about a month.
The Chinese volleyball teams will compete at the Beijing Games as hosts. The International Volleyball Federation had consulted with the Chinese volleyball administration, proposing China give up participation at the World Cup, which is also a qualifying event for the 2008 Olympics.
