Chinese women's field hockey team, dubbed "Snow Lotus", aims to win the gold medalat the Beijing Olympics in 2008 after a satisfactory rehearsal at the National Games.

"Three more teams took part in the 10th National Games' women's field hockey tournament than the last edition, and the competitionis much closer than four years ago," said Yang Chao, general-secretary of the Chinese Field Hockey Association.

Jilin clinched its third consecutive National Games title. Yet with much more efforts.

Shanghai turned out to be a dark horse as the unfancied young team defeated title contender Liaoning, former bronze medalist Guangdong and former runner-up Sichuan en route to grabbing the silver medal.

"The standard of hockey played here among provincial teams is just amazing," said Dennis Meredith, manager of Events and Competitions Committee of International Hockey Federation.

Meredith expected the high-ranking Chinese women's team to be "a very strong title contender in the home field of Beijing Olympics".

Hockey made its first way into the program of Olympic Games in 1908.

While hockey is to celebrate its centennial in Olympics in 2008,the Chinese women's team will try to stand on the top podium.

"We have great hope and confidence in winning the gold medal for Chinese people," said China's South Korean coach Kim Chang Back.

Kim, who took over the Chinese national team in 1999 and led the team to fifth-place finish at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, watched the National Games.

Tipped as a pre-tournament title favorite, China finished a disappointed fourth at last year's Athens Olympics.

"We actually had great potential in 2004," said Kim. "Compared to those high-ranking teams, Chinese players have an edge in speedand accuracy."

Several veterans retired after returning from Athens and Kim then drew new blood.

The 38-year-old Yu Shuzhen, a former national team player and the eldest player in Chinese women's hockey, is an inspiration to her Jiangsu team.

"I have played field hockey for twenty years, I love the sport too much to think about retirement," said Yu.

Yu's words represent the opinions of other veterans, like goalkeeper Nie Yali, Cheng Hui and Huang Junxia. Veterans Fu Baorong, Tang Chunling of Jilin and Chenghui of Shanghai also put into the decisive goals for their teams in a hot title race.

"Old soldiers never die, they just fade away," General Douglas Macarthur said in his farewell address.

Although promising stars fail to outshine more experienced players at the National Games, Kim remains optimistic about a bright future of Chinese women's hockey.

"The old went and the new come, but the spirit of hard work remains," said Kim.

"I believe that God will also stand by us for all our efforts."

Editor: Donald