Wow factor in Yao factor

Spanish Basketball Federation president Jorge Garbajosa reckons the influence of Yao Ming will help China's national women's team take its game to the next level.

China tips off its Women's Basketball World Cup campaign against Latvia on the Spanish island of Tenerife on Saturday, and Garbajosa－an ex-Toronto Raptors forward－believes his former NBA rival Yao can help his country become a superpower of the female game in his role as CBA chairman.

"China has a physically strong side, with a style of play that will make their rivals uncomfortable, but they still lack that extra something they need in order to take a step forward and reach a higher level," Garbajosa told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on Monday.

"But with Yao Ming and the hard work of the Chinese federation, that step forward can arrive."

Garbajosa was also keen to stress the close bond between the two national governing bodies, a relationship that has been strengthened by the "good friendship" he shares with Yao.

"They (the federations) are working well, especially in women's basketball. In fact they sent a delegation here (to Spain) a few months ago and we explained the way we work to them, due to the good relationship we have," he said.

Garbajosa, meanwhile, expects China's Group D rival the United States to lift the cup on Sept 30.

"The US team is on a different level, while France is also strong and then there are other great sides such as Canada, Australia and China," said Garbajosa, who revealed host Spain is hopeful of being in the championship mix.

"Our objective is the quarterfinals and after that everything else will be a bonus," said Garbajosa, whose country was crowned European champion in 2013 and claimed silver at the 2014 worlds and 2016 Olympic Games.

As well as the US and Latvia, China will face Senegal in Group D, while Spain takes on Japan, Puerto Rico and Belgium in Group C.

Xinhua