Hubei denies plan to name stadium after Li Na

Hubei province has denied a report that it intends to name a planned sports complex after top Chinese tennis player Li Na.

"The provincial sport administration is coordinating with relevant departments for a feasibility study of the project and we haven't considered giving it a name yet," said a notice issued by Hubei Administration of Sport on May 29.

Li Na was born in Hubei's capital, Wuhan, and is China's most popular tennis player. She won the 2011 French Open singles title, becoming the first player from an Asian country to win a Grand Slam in singles.

A publicity chief of the administration, who preferred to remain anonymous when reached by China Daily, said experts are still studying the project, which they plan to make into a multifunctional stadium open to public. He did not release information on the timetable of the stadium.

The notice refuted a report published by Shanghai-based Youth Daily on May 28, which said that a plan to build a sports complex named after Li Na, proposed by the government of Hubei province, was approved by the National Development and Reform Commission, China's top economic planner.

The report cited an anonymous official of Hubei Administration of Sport saying the complex, which will cost 330 million yuan ($52 million), will have an 8,000-seat capacity and is expected to take two years to complete. It will be the venue for tennis games and other competitions such as basketball and swimming.

"We hope Li Na's fame can help develop the sports-related economy in Hubei," said the official.