Vice Director of the organizing committee Mo Dawei says they
have invited Beijing's teachers to attend the tournament for free
when it opens on Friday, which is also Teachers' Day.
He said in a press conference that there will be a big opening
ceremony on Friday and special guests will also attend the
ceremony.
Secretary-General of the organizing committee Zhang Xiaoning
says the committee attaches greater importance to service than the
facilities.
He says they have recruited some 120 referees from both home and
abroad and hundreds of volunteers.
Ironically, a small technical accident occurred during the press
conference and a pop song was played while Zhang Xiaoning was
giving a speech.
Mo Dawei mockingly said that there is a long way to go before
the China Open becomes the fifth Grand Slam tournament.
About 400 Chinese reporters and dozens of foreign media services
have registered to cover the event.
China Open Tournament Director Lincoln Venancio says ticket
sales are going well despite heavy spectator interest in the
quarter-final, semi-final and the final matches.
(CRI September 10, 2004)