It is not only highly possible but also necessary to attract great athletes and coaches to serve as leaders in sports agencies at all levels, said a spokesperson of China's top sports authority on Thursday, amid heated discussions over the qualifications of basketball Hall of Famer Yao Ming to head the State-owned China Basketball Association (CBA).
The People's Daily quoted an unidentified spokesperson of the China's General Administration of Sport (GAS) as saying on Thursday that outstanding athletes and coaches are the wealth of the country's sports, especially those who have achieved success and become highly influential at home and abroad.
They could be a major force in driving current reforms and developments in China's sports agencies, said the spokesperson.
However, a commentary on the Xinhua News Agency on Tuesday said Yao is too young and inexperienced to serve as CBA head, but many Chinese basketball fans disagree.
"The CBA has never appointed a chairman as young as Yao…Yao still appears to be a lightweight and lacks social and management skills," Xinhua said.
The Basketball Pioneer, a Guangzhou-based newspaper, reported on Monday that the GAS has recommended Yao's appointment as CBA chairman and head coach of the national team.
Zhang Xiong, a senior official on the CBA league committee, told the media in an earlier interview that he is unaware of the nomination.
Yao has not commented on the nomination as of press time.
