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"If we cannot deliver decent results in the highly popular team ball sports, including basketball, football and volleyball, the Asian Games will probably not be viewed as a success, even if we win tons of medals," he added.

Outpaced and overpowered by international heavyweights, the Chinese men's basketball team finished 29th — its worst ever ranking — at the FIBA World Cup in Manila earlier this month, thereby failing to qualify for the Paris Olympics.

Led by coach Aleksandar Djordjevic, who retained his position despite the World Cup disappointment, Team China's hoopsters will bid to restore some pride when they defend their Asian Games gold on their home court.

The country's long underachieving men's football team are also in desperate need of a morale-boosting campaign in Hangzhou. The squad triggered yet more criticism for a sloppy performance in a 1-1 international friendly draw against Malaysia on Saturday. The result against the Asian minnow cast a huge shadow over China's prospects in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which will kick off in November.