The day after Yao Ming’s retirement announcement, China’s official newspaper China Daily published an article named “Welcome home, Yao Ming!”. The article said:
Yao made tremendous contributions to sport, culture and commerce during his NBA years. But as he said, this is not a full stop, only a comma in his life.
Like a giant bridge spanning the Pacific Ocean between China and America,Yao Ming will continue to promote understanding between a rejuvenating modern China and the rest of the world.
The end of Yao’s playing career means the beginning of a new life in other fields, but he will continue to contribute to sports and his country. Yao has more time to realize his business dreams and establish his charity now.
As a vigorous embodiment of the profound and extensive civilization of China, the “Ming Dynasty” legacy lives on.
It is heartening to hear Yao saying he intends to participate more in basketball training for youngsters. “Taking the Shanghai team as a platform, I hope more children will take part in and love physical activities, making themselves stronger and helping themselves become better people through sports.”
Sports executives in China also expressed their best wishes to Yao Ming and his new journey.
Qiang Wei, director for sports marketing at Ogilvy & Mather China said on his Weibo (China’s Twitter):
Let’s not say “Goodbye” to Yao Ming, but say “Welcome home!”. Yao Ming has retired as a NBA player and a national team player, and we will not be able to watch his great dominance on the basketball court. But on the court of the Chinese basketball sports industry and the charity of the Yao Ming Foundation, we will have more opportunities to watch his giant figure. We have solid reasons to believe this great Olympic flag bearer will continue to hold that flag (of Chinese sports)!
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