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)
Yao Ming, member of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and former NBA all-star player, was unanimously elected president of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) here on Thursday.
Yao, 37, became the first-ever non-governmental person to take the position at the Ninth National Congress of the association, which was founded in 1956.
"Chinese basketball has a long and bright past. Now the burden is on our shoulders and I feel deeply responsible," said Yao.
"Chinese basketball is based on the need to do good, and we have a great social impact. We also have the best professional league in Asia. That's why we have every reason to believe that as long as we humbly listen to the views from all sides and recruit those who have the enthusiasm, willingness and ability, we are able to complete the self-management, self-improvement, self-monitoring and self-breakthrough of Chinese basketball."
The CBA Charter was also revised at the Congress, making the president the association's legal representative, a position that was formerly secretary-general.
