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Smiling coach gets housing reward
Coach Chen Zhonghe's four years' reign at the helm of the Chinese Women's Volleyball Team has paid off on and off the court.
After leading the team to its first Olympic title in Athens after 20 years, the ever-smiling coach from China's Fujian Province Friday received a luxury one million yuan (US$121,000) apartment from real estate company the Fujian Chinafit Group. The apartment is in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, and is in tribute to Chen's outstanding work. This was not Chen's first triumph for the team - he also led the team to victory in the World Cup after 17 years last year in Japan. Chen's run started in 1979, when he was still a training partner to the current head coach. He has been involved in Chinese women's volleyball development for 24 years. In 2000, Chen signed a four-year contract with the Chinese Volleyball Association to become head coach. He intends to continue in this position if the association renews his contract. The Chinese Olympic delegation won 32 gold medals in Athens, four more than in Sydney four years ago. Chen is one of many winning sports personalities to receive rewards. Double diving gold medallist Guo Jingjing has also been given an apartment. The Chinese Olympic champions leave for Hong Kong soon to celebrate their Olympic victory with locals and to collect a kilo of pure gold from Hong Kong businessman Henry Fok. Chinese champions, especially Olympic men's hurdling winner, are expected to collect well over one million RMB yuan for their victories in Athens. |
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