GUANGZHOU: Inviting legendary coach Lang Ping to take the coaching position was not the only breakthrough made by the newly-established Guangdong Evergrande Women's Volleyball Club.

What drew the interest of Lang, her star-studded squad and even the media is the fact the team is the first truly professional volleyball club in China.

Established by Evergrande Real Estate Group on April 24, with an investment of 20 million yuan ($2.9 million), the club is completely owned by the company. Almost all the other volleyball teams in China are owned by local sports authorities, which receive financial support from companies.