Last night in Ningbo,
Zhengjiang
Province, veteran basketballer Liu Yudong of the Bayi Shuanglu
Rockets had two reasons to be happy.
For one, he scored a game-high of 48 points with 15 rebounds to
lead his team to a 140-116 triumph over the visiting Jilin Tonggang
Tigers in the latest round of the China Basketball Association
(CBA) League.
For another, Liu was given the CBA's Outstanding Contribution
award for his achievements over the league's 10 year-history.
During the interval, Li Yuanwei, director of China Basketball
Administration Center, presented the award to Liu with a special
ring, which boasted 131 diamonds.
Liu Yudong, nicknamed God of War and Heavy Tank by his fans,
carried the flag for the Chinese
Olympic delegation at both Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000. For the
national team, Liu helped win several Asian golds and a place in
the top eight at Atlanta.
After wining seven titles for the Bayi Rockets in the domestic
league, the three-time MVP resigned in 2003 due to long-running
knee injures. Last year, 11 fractured bones were removed from his
knees and he returned to the court.
"This is the most memorable and exciting moment of my life and I
am so lucky that the CBA has given me this opportunity. I hope they
can train more talented players to further foster the development
of China's basketball." Liu noted.
To honor the CBA's most notable players, the administration
center planned the awards last year as the league entered its 10th
anniversary season. 12 big names were nominated, including Sun Jun,
Zheng Wu, Gong Xiaobin, Li Xiaoyong, Yao Ming and Menk Bateer. The
final winner was elected by head coaches, general mangers and
player representatives.
Li Yuanwei, organizer of the event, said the awards were to
"review, give thanks and set expectations."
He added, "All of the nominees have given their eyeteeth to help
develop the league. They are not only excellent players, but
amongst the best of society."
The ceremony didn't hold any suspense itself, but the
establishment of the award has triggered debate. Some local media
even claimed the voting was fixed and that Liu had been
pre-selected.
But this was denied by the administration center. "Of the 36
votes, Liu got 22 so there should be no doubt about the result at
all," said a spokesperson, Li Jinsheng.
However, basketball fans were not involved in any of the
balloting, and many were indignant that their own favorites, such
as Hu Weidong, widely known as the Chinese Michael Jordan, were
left out.
Some said recognition should go to a cluster of players, such as
Wang Fei, Wang Zhizhi and others.
Hu Weidong, head coach and player of the Jiangsu Dragons said
"Many great players came to the fore in the past decade. If we
could establish a Hall of Fame, it would better showcase the
contribution these people have made."
Shangdong Lions coach Gong Xiaobin added, "I don't think any one
person can stand for the league's 10 year-history."
(China.org.cn by Li Xiao January 20, 2005)
