Yao Ming attends a press conference in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 23, 2017. Yao Ming, member of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and former NBA all-star player, was voted as the president of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) here on Thursday. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)
(ECNS) -- Gou Zhongwen, director of China's General Administration of Sport, has denied allegations that newly elected president of the Chinese Basketball Association Yao Ming is just a figurehead.
The 36-year-old former Houston Rockets center became the first non-government official to lead the sport's national governing body in February.
Previous media reports said Yao's reform proposals were rejected because they were not suitable for China, but that was soon dismissed by Bai Xilin, secretary-general of the CBA.
China's sports sector has entered a stage where the planning system collides seriously with the new market system, Gou said at a panel discussion with members from Sports circles of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee on Tuesday.[Special coverage]
"It's not like Yao Ming took a position today and introduced a series of measures the next day. There should be a process."
Gou also vowed to strengthen reforms, saying it is the only way forward for China's sports development. He said it's necessary to seek a balance between two different administration systems, and urged for patience and support.
Yao Ming has been an active power-broker in Chinese basketball since retiring from the NBA.
