November 10, 1998 (Seattle, Wash.) - China's Sports-For-All Administration Center of the State Sport General Administration of China (CSAAC) will announce on November 14, 1998, that the Magic: The Gathering ® trading card game and its tournament competition has been accepted for launch as a "Non-Olympic Mind Sport for the Masses" in China. CSAAC officials and corporate representatives from Wizards of the Coast Inc., the game's manufacturer, will introduce the Magic ® TCG and its Asia-Pacific tournament programs at a press conference, which will take place at the prestigious Qinhua University in Beijing, China.

Following the press conference, the CSAAC and Wizards of the Coast will hold an official Magic: The Gathering training session for players and prospective coaches. Approximately 100 selected Chinese students from China's top 20 universities will be the first to participate in the preliminary event which will lead to the establishment of the first group of Magic athletes and coaches in China.

In alliance with CSAAC regulations, Wizards of the Coast must now proceed to introduce Magic to the country of China under strict administration guidelines. Starting with regions surrounding Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian and Chengdu, the Magic game and tournament system will be testmarketed as a tournament sport. The game must also follow the international Olympic Games' tournament system and be in accordance with the special social, cultural, economic and political environments of China. The Magic TCG will now be identified as one of approximately 15 non-Olympic competitive sports in China, including dragon dancing, rollerblading, aerobics and dragon boat racing.

"This is a prestigious honor and critical milestone for Magic," said Wizards of the Coast ® President Peter Adkison. "The launch of Magic in China is a remarkable indication of worldwide growth and acceptance of the game and a pinnacle achievement for Wizards of the Coast."

Prior to its acceptance, a lengthy and intensive analysis and review process was undertaken by the CSAAC. Various aspects of the Magic game, including its aesthetic and structural elements, and the organization of the Magic tournament system, were carefully assessed. A delegation from China, comprising of officials who oversee the legal, tournament and promotional aspects of sports in China, visited the Magic: The Gathering Asia-Pacific Championship in Tokyo last year. Additionally, the group traveled to the Wizards of the Coast world headquarters to evaluate the company and the game. Based on the launch of Magic in China, a series of regional and national training sessions, coupled with exhibition matches, is also being planned to assist in the development of the national tournament system. China hopes to establish a national team, which will compete in the 1999 Magic: The Gathering World Championships. Enough to fit nicely in a backpack, yet large enough to securely hold up to five 60-card decks or 350 cards.

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