LANZHOU, China, July 23 (Xinhua) -- China's former basketball stars Wang Libin, Song Ligang and Liu Yudong recently participated in a mass basketball event in Jingtai County of Baiyin City in northwest China's Gansu Province, with all saying they were looking forward to a brighter future for China's basketball development.

The three ex-players, who previously served as flagbearers for the Chinese delegation at different Olympic opening ceremonies, all said that a solid youth training foundation is needed in order to boost the development of the sport in China.

Wang, a basketball legend and a flagbearer at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, stated that the overall atmosphere of basketball in China is quite good at the moment, but expressed regret that China's men's basketball team had failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics.

"We neither had the strength to ensure qualification, nor did we seize some crucial opportunities during the matches," he said, also emphasizing the importance of long-term vision and encouraging young people to play basketball, as the future of Chinese basketball lies with the younger generation.

Liu, president of the Fujian Provincial Basketball Association and a flagbearer at the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Olympics, agreed with Wang.

As a player, "War God" Liu and his teammates helped China reach the Olympic quarterfinals for the first time in Atlanta. He is also the first athlete to serve as a flagbearer for China's delegation at two consecutive Summer Olympics.

Liu said that high-level coaches and professionals should be encouraged to get involved in youth basketball training in China, with increased investment in youth basketball for the next Olympic cycle.

"In Jingtai and many other places, I have seen children who love basketball training hard in the scorching heat. I believe that, with basketball as their companion, their lives will be different," he said.

Song, a flagbearer at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, participated in two consecutive Olympics with China's men's basketball team in 1988 and 1992. He noted that solidifying the foundation of youth basketball training in China is crucial and that children who love basketball will have a bright future.

The Chinese men's basketball team has struggled in recent years, failing to qualify for both the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games, and being knocked out in the group stage at the last two FIBA World Cups in 2019 and 2023. Enditem

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