The city's landmark Shanghai Grand Stage will undergo a multi-million yuan overhaul in preparation for an NBA preseason game in October.

The revamp, including the installation of a 120-square-meter underground practice court, was required by NBA in order to facilitate a game between the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento Kings.

The two basketball teams will also play an exibition game in Beijing.

Officials say they hope the renovations can be done without interrupting the routine schedule of the 29-year-old amphitheater, located one block from Xujiahui.

"It would be in our best interest to keep the scheduled events undisturbed while going through the proposed revamp," said Yao Chengjia, an official with Shanghai East Asia Sports and Recreation Center Co Ltd, which owns the venue.

The stadium is scheduled to host two pop concerts, a dance performance and a circus over the next two months. Yao said plans for the renovation haven't been completed yet.

Shanghai Grand Stage, which was previously known as Shanghai Stadium, was completed in 1975.

A renovation in 1999 reduced the stadium's capacity to 12,000 people from the original 18,000 seats, and transformed the area into a venue used mainly for pop concerts instead of sporting events.

The up-coming renovations will include changes to the ventilation system and the installation of more VIP boxes and a brand new press center.

Officials wouldn't say exactly how much the renewal will cost, but did say the figure will probably run into the millions of yuan.

The renovations will also take into account the 2005 World Table Tennis Championships, which will be held at several venues including the Shanghai Grand Stage.

The pre-season basketball game should be a huge event in the city as it will star Shanghai's biggest sports hero, Houston Rocket's center Yao Ming, who was the number one draft pick in the NBA last year.

(eastday.com January 30, 2004)