CHANGCHUN, Northeast China, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- "Asia is No. 1 in the world in short track speedskating, and China and South Korea are the best of all, we hope to invite Chinese coaches to train our skaters," said Kazakhstan short-track speedskating team head coach Madygali Karsybekov here on Friday.
The 50-year-old coach is heading 10 athletes for the short track events at the pending Asian Winter Games, to be officially opened on Jan. 28 in Changchun, China's northeast provincial city.
"All the gold medals are the sure bets for both China and South Korea, but we are going to fight for other medals," said Karsybekov, a former speed skater who took up the sport after a competition in Russia in 1985.
"Our athletes are all teenagers, with the youngest at 14. They are short of experience and without good performance in international meets."
At the rink of Changchun Wuhuan Gymnasium, Karsybekov said he has come to China several times with a deep impression of the Chinese coaches in their training.
"We want to invite Chinese coaches to help enhance the skills of our athletes," said Karsybekov, "and we hope to make the sport popular in our country in three to four years."
The short track events of the Winter Asiad will be kicked off on Jan. 29.
