BEIJING - Playing rugby is a good way to help Chinese children learn about teamwork, respect and discipline, said China coach Zhang Zhiqiang.

As the most famous name in China rugby, Zhang is helping to raise awareness and understanding of the sport in the country ahead of rugby's inclusion at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

"Nowadays, Chinese children are becoming selfish and don't like to share with others. Therefore, we should put them in team sports to teach them how to survive in a community, which is beneficial to their development in the future," Zhang said.

"Rugby is a sport with great cohesive force, and the players are required to be mentally strong besides having sound bodies."

Starting in China in the 1990s, rugby is still regarded by some as brutal because of the sport's fierce body clashes. However, Zhang is eager to clear up people's perceptions about the game.

"Rugby is a sport for gentlemen, and each of us is proud to be a rugby player," said Zhang. "The game is very fierce, but not brutal. Players need a lot of systematic training to learn how to move correctly and protect themselves in a match.

"The sport also requires its players to have a decent heart because each time there is body contact a player could be hurt (if we don't behave well)," he said.

"The sport teaches people to be disciplined and respect others."

Zhang will lead the China team at the annual Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens from March 23-25.

"Apart from major sports meetings like the Asian Games, the Hong Kong Sevens has been the most important single-event tournament for the national team since we made our debut in 1998," said Zhang, who is the highest points scorer of all time at the Hong Kong Sevens.

"The tournament has considerable influence around the world, and it is also a window for us to show our skills"

Despite the success of the rugby carnival in Hong Kong, Zhang said it is still too early to bring such a tournament to the mainland, due to an underdeveloped market.

"We can do it, but we would need to lower our expectations," Zhang said. "Rugby has a long history in Hong Kong, I played there for four years and I saw a lot of kids taking part in the sport. Most people in the mainland have no idea about rugby and there is also nothing on TV."

Shanghai is currently leading the way in promoting the sport here.

"Many kids from international schools in Shanghai are playing rugby. Their parents have seen the sport overseas, and they want to teach their children discipline and strengthen their minds through this game," Zhang said.

"I'm very happy to see such a good atmosphere as a coach, and we need to bring up more young coaches besides training kids. I hope this will lead to a snowball effect in China."

China Daily