Yao Ming Calls for More Sports in Chinese Schools

August 28, 2012

Former NBA player Yao Ming would like to more focus on sports in Chinese schools. Yao was speaking after the climax of inaugural Yao Foundation Hope Primary School Basketball Season in Leshan Stadium.

The charitable programme involved almost 27,000 students from 47 primary schools in 17 different cities throughout the country.

A total of 360 representatives gathered in Leshan, Sichuan province last week to attend the event’s final stage, which featured a four-day camp, after-school activities and a mini tournament.

The programme was supported by NBA Cares and China Youth Development Foundation, and NBA L.A. Clippers player, Caron Butler was also brought in to participate.

Yao said: “The development of school sports activities in China remains small. Sports still lag far behind studies in terms of importance in students’ school lives. Sports should play a much bigger role in school life for kids than it does now.”{jcomments on}