An experienced Montenegrin coach Petar Porobic has been appointed as a head coach of the Chinese female national team.
Porobic, who is the World Water Polo Coaches Association president, has been working in the Chinese Water Polo Federation for a few years.
Firstly, he was the chief of all Chinese national teams. Then, he worked as a head coach of the men’s team.
But, the Chinese Federation decided to “transfer” Porobic to the female squad. It’s not difficult to guess the reason for this decision.
China’s women will play at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, while the male squad didn’t qualify for the Olympics. China men’s team was preparing to battle for the Olympic berth at the Asian Championships (continental qualification), that was supposed to be played in Kazakhstan in February. But, the tournament was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. After the cancelation, the Asian Swimming Federation decided that Kazakhstan (men) and China (women), as the gold medal winners at the 2018 Asian Games, would be Asia’s representatives at the Tokyo Olympics.
China men’s team had the right to play at the World Qualification Tournament (that will be held in Rotterdam next year). But, the Chinese withdrew from participation at this very strong tournament (where Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, Russia, Germany, and many other respectable teams will play).
The female team of China was 7th at the 2016 Olympic Games, after two consecutive 5th places at the Olympics (2008 and 2012). China is the current Asian champion for women. China is the only Asian team (male or female) that won a medal at the FINA competitions. The Chinese ladies clinched the gold medal at the 2013 World League, silver at the 2011 World Championships, and bronze at the 2010 World Cup.
The Chinese Federation believes that the female team can achieve a good result in Tokyo.
Petar Porobic (63) has been a coach since 1982. He guided Primorac, Becej, Jadran Herceg Novi, Shturm, Galatasaray, etc.
Porobic coached two national teams before taking China.
In 2000, he became a member of Yugoslavia’s (Serbia and Montenegro) coaching staff, firstly as an assistant coach to Nenad Manojlovic. A few years later, he was appointed as a head coach. He also guided Montenegro. As a head coach of the national teams, Porobic won the gold at the 2005 World Championships (with Serbia and Montenegro), the title of the European Champion (2008 with Montenegro), and several medals at other major competitions.
The Chinese Federation still hasn’t decided who will replace Porobic in the men’s team.
