On October 6th, after the end of the women’s basketball World Cup, Li Meng, a member of China’s national women’s basketball team and now playing for Sichuan Yuanda Merlot basketball club, was interviewed by Sichuan Online reporters.
Q: The national team competition has ended and is about to compete with Han Xu for WCBA on behalf of Sichuan women’s basketball. What are your expectations?
Li Meng: I and all my teammates in Sichuan Yuanda Meile women’s basketball are looking forward to the upcoming league. Sichuan Yuanda Meile women’s basketball is my mother Team. After only three years of establishment, we have won the 12th and 4th place respectively. Last year, we entered the finals and won the runner-up. I think we can still impact (the championship), we still want to stand on the podium.
Q: When did you join Sichuan Yuanda Merlot basketball club? What was the communication process at that time?
Li Meng: The club contacted my agent and myself in the second half of 202020. at that time, it was facing the Bayi (working brigades for sports) reform that I had served before, and also faced the diversion of jobs or veterans to places. At that time, many clubs are also contacting me and inviting me to join, but chairman Zhang Yuanping of Sichuan Yuanda Group and general manager of Yuanda Meile club have contacted me many times and invited me. Later, general Manager Zhang invited me to Chengdu, Sichuan province for a field visit and negotiation, which gave me a deeper understanding of Sichuan Yuanda Group and Sichuan Yuanda Meile club. After that, I confirmed my transfer here.
Q: I heard that your account has also been transferred to Chengdu. What is your consideration?
Li Meng: because we (chairman) are really great, he has been making arrangements for our athletes after retirement, so that our athletes have no worries during playing, let’s just be responsible for playing, and leave other things to the club. There is a high degree of agreement between me and the club. The two sides have established unconditional trust, which gives me a sense of belonging, I think Sichuan Yuanda Meile Club is a professional platform that I am willing to fight for and pay.
Q: Many netizens think that the income of women’s basketball players is too low. What is the real situation?
Li Meng: the attention of women’s basketball is relatively lower than that of men’s basketball, and the income level of women’s basketball is indeed not as high as that of men’s basketball. There is also a lack of attention of the entire international and domestic markets to the women’s basketball league, the reason why there are few sponsors. However, after I moved to the club, my income has been greatly improved. After ensuring my personal treatment, the club gave my parents and family meticulous care, I also actively help my parents to cure diseases and solve many difficulties in life. It is really a club with special warmth and care, and everyone can still rest assured. I also considered setting up a home in Chengdu, and moved my registered permanent residence, waiting to take over my parents and live together in Chengdu.
Q: How does it feel to live in Chengdu for a while?
Li Meng: I have been in Chengdu for more than a year. I like to eat spicy food, so I am very used to it in Chengdu, but I am still a little unaccustomed to the winter in Chengdu, the cold in winter in Chengdu is different from that in Northeast China.
Q: What is the goal of this season and are you confident of achieving it?
Li Meng: we must be the champion of the WCBA league this season. Our team is full of fighting spirit. Personally speaking, I take the lead, share your experience and experience of participating in the world competition with other teammates in the team, adjust your physical condition, and impact the championship with my comrades.
Q: Chengdu street basketball is also very popular. Do you want to play it?
Li Meng: if allowed, you can still dress up.
Q: Is there a word you want to say to Sichuan fans?
Li Meng: because the attention of women’s basketball is low, but through the league, many people also pay attention to Sichuan women’s basketball. I hope all fans in Sichuan, including fans from all over the country, can pay attention to our Sichuan Yuanda Merlot women’s basketball, we will give you a bright feeling next season.
According to the reporter’s understanding, Sichuan Yuanda Merlot basketball club has re-optimized its personnel and lineup in many aspects such as coaching staff and players this year, and introduced many excellent managers and national coach teams, in terms of players, many excellent players who have experienced the national team have also been transferred one after another. In addition, Sichuan Yuanda Group also actively responded to the call of Sichuan province to revitalize the “three big-ball sports” work. In addition to strengthening investment at the club level, it also established a perfect youth training system. It is understood that after participating in the World Cup qualifier last year, the group awarded Li Meng, Han Xu and Gao Song 200000 yuan each. After the World Cup, Li Meng and Han Xu were awarded 600000 yuan each.
Zhang Yuanping, chairman of Yuanda Group, said that in the future, the group will not only vigorously invest in revitalizing Sichuan women’s basketball, but also hope that through the development and construction of its own club, more excellent reserve talents will be provided for the national team, support the national team to prepare for the international competition and the Olympic Games.
(Text/Chen Yu)