NBA Hall of Famer Yao Ming has been elected as chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
As a top sporting icon, both at home and abroad, Yao has become the first-ever non-governmental candidate to take the position.
Yao played for the US's Houston Rockets for nine years and led the Chinese national team during the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games.
"I hope to cooperate with news media and cultural organizations to promote our country's basketball industry and to establish our own basketball museum and our hall of fame, " Yao said. "I also hope that people who love playing basketball will not worry about finding a court. I want children in remote areas and under-developed regions to enjoy a high level of basketball competition. "
"In all, I hope that more people will play basketball, and for the sport to play an important function in promoting the economy, social stability, public health, as well as creating positive energy," added Yao.
