Thaindian News

Perth, Sep 29 (IANS) Former Houston Rockets center Yao Ming said here Thursday that there will be no possibility for him to play for China in next year’s London Olympic Games.

“There was no such a possibility because my foot injuries have not fully recovered and that is why I retired from the national basketball team two months ago,” Yao was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

But he added that he would go to watch the Games and cheer for the Chinese team, who just won the Asian Championship and a berth for the London Games earlier this week.

Speaking at a press conference held here, the state capital of Western Australia, Yao said he had a lot of contacts with Australian basketball teams which helped him learn more about the country.

Yao arrived here Wednesday to attend the Cable Beach Invitational to be held at Broome, a tourist town 2,200 km north of Perth Friday and Saturday. The invitational is jointly organised by Western Australian government and RV Sport company based in Perth. This is the first time for such an open-door international basketball match to be held close to the famous Cable Beach in Broome.

Talking about his impressions of Australia, Yao said he had been to Australia twice before in 1997 and 2000.

“I came to Sydney in 2000 to attend the Olympic Games. Across Australia, there is totally different experience waiting for you. I am looking forward to seeing more of it. This morning I already viewed the beautiful sun and also had a good breakfast in Perth,” he said.

This time Yao attends the basketball invitational not as a player but as the owner of Shanghai Sharks, which was also the first basketball team Yao served. Also attending the invitational are Perth’s Wild Cats, Singapore’s Slinger and Indonesian national team.