Historic match-up between US and China

The 2006 China Basketball Challenge, a basketball tournament featuring match-ups between the men's national teams of China and the United States, as well as Brazil and the United States, will take place on August 7 and 8 in Guangzhou.

The historic tournament marks the first ever visits to China by a USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team that features NBA players and the Brazil Men's National Team.

The two-day tournament will be held at the 10,000-seat Guangzhou Gymnasium, with the first match-up between China and USA on August 7 and the second match-up between Brazil and USA on August 8. Both games will tip-off at 8 pm. Tickets for both games are scheduled to go on sale July 8. Tickets are priced from 380 yuan to 3,800 yaun.

China Central Television (CCTV) TV and Guangdong TV (GDTV) will be the host broadcasters for both games. The August 7 game will be carried live on CCTV 5 and Guangdong Cable Sports Channel, while the August 8 game will be carried live on Guangdong Cable Sports Channel and delay live on CCTV 5.

"With the impending Asian Games in Guangzhou in 2010, we will receive world-class basketball games with China against US, and the US against Brazil. We are proud to stage a world-class basketball tournament featuring the best and most popular basketball talent in the world," said Li Zhuobin, Vice Mayor of Guangzhou. "Fans will be treated to top-class basketball action, as well as superb organization that will go a long way towards enhancing the overall game experience."

"The US and Brazil teams are world class basketball teams and we truly look forward to their visit and participation in the China Basketball Challenge," said Li Yuanwei, Vice President and Secretary General of the CBA. "Having won numerous world championship titles, the US team is known for its skills and talents. This will be the first time for USA Basketball to visit China and they will join hands with the Chinese National Team to showcase a long-awaited top-class basketball competition for fans in China."

NBA legend Clyde Drexler said: "It was an honour for me to play on the USA Basketball team that participated in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Since then, basketball has exploded in popularity around the globe, increasing awareness and arousing passion for the sport worldwide. The China Basketball Challenge in Guangzhou is a rewarding experience because it showcases the popularity and development of this game in China and worldwide."

"The official announcement of our visit to Guangzhou to train and compete in the China Basketball Challenge completes our World Championship training plan. Practicing and playing against two quality opponents will significantly help in our preparations for the 2006 FIBA World Championship," said Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball's Senior National Team programme managing director.

Source: China Daily