Players hooked on 'net' says top official

What is to blame for the recent poor performances of the national women's volleyball team?

"The internet", according Li Quanqiang, vice director of the volleyball department at the General Administration of Sports of China. Li said the national players spent too much time surfing the internet instead of talking to each other off the court. That led to poor communication and team spirit on the court.

"They (the players) spend too much time online after a match or training, are too self-centered and haven't enough direct and close interaction," Li said after the team returned from the World Grand Prix Finals in Japan, where they finished fifth - equaling their worst result. They lost to Brazil, the Netherlands, Russia and Germany and only defeated Japan.