Yao still at center (of charity)

Yao Ming has found a new way to carry on his legacy.

Since his retirement last year, China's former NBA All-Star center has refocused his energy from the court to his charity.

Yao is eager to share the lessons 20 years of basketball taught him with underprivileged children in rural China.

"Although I am retired, basketball is still an important part of my life," Yao said during the launch of his new charitable project, Hope Primary Schools basketball, at China Youth University for Political Science on Thursday.

"Since I first played the game when I was 9, basketball has taught me how to be optimistic about facing difficulties as well as how to coordinate my own interests with those of the team," Yao said. "I've realized a lot of my dreams and had so many precious experiences thanks to the game."

Now, Yao hopes the game will inspire children who are living in poverty and earthquake-stricken areas.

The six-month program is a joint initiative led by the Yao Foundation, China Youth Development Foundation and the Chinese Basketball Association to improve physical-education manpower and facilities in 47 schools in rural regions across the country.

The campaign will draft college volunteers nationwide, train them to become PE teachers and send them to instruct children on basketball skills in those schools.

In addition, a forum will be held to discuss improving physical education on campus, and an exhibition basketball game will be staged.

"The event carries on my idea," Yao said. "Hopefully, it will provide the children with confidence and joy, and help them to grow their dreams like I did."

Yao's interest in charity began in 2007, when he teamed with NBA stars including Steve Nash and Carmelo Anthony to stage the inaugural Yao Ming-Steve Nash charity game in Beijing to raise money for poor children.

The second edition of the game was held two years ago in Beijing and Taipei. Yao is working closely with NBA Cares to ramp up excitement in the event.

After the devastating 8.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Wenchuan in Southwest China in 2008, Yao donated 2 million yuan ($310,000) and set up the Yao Foundation to further aid the victims and other poverty-stricken people in rural China.

So far, the foundation has brought in 44 million yuan in donations and set to work building 14 schools, seven of which are finished, that will educate more than 9,000 children.

"Charity will be my lifetime-long job as compared to my limited career as a pro athlete," Yao said.

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/21/2012 page16)