Following the recent earthquake in Ya'an, Sichuan province, the National Basketball Association, its teams and players will donate 1 million yuan ($162,000) to the China Youth Development Foundation through the league's global social-responsibility program, NBA Cares, to aid victims and their families in disaster relief and rebuilding efforts.

The NBA will bring immediate assistance through a CYDF emergency relief program by providing portable classrooms and financial assistance to those students from earthquake damaged schools and area families.

NBA is the first professional sports league that announced donation and commitment to support earthquake relief efforts.

"The NBA, our teams and players are committed to providing support and resources to those in need in the wake of this terrible earthquake," said NBA China CEO David Shoemaker. "This financial contribution is just the first step in our commitment to helping rebuild Ya'an and to build on our long-standing partnership with CYDF."

In addition to the cash donation, the league will continue to work with the CYDF and the Yao Ming Foundation in support of rebuilding efforts helping to develop Hope Schools, places to play and host a series of NBA Cares events throughout the region this summer. NBA players will also send their messages of support to those affected during live NBA game telecasts and programs on national and regional TV and digital platforms in China.

"We are saddened by the recent earthquake in Ya'an and our hearts and prayers go out to those who have been affected," said Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat. "We are committed to providing immediate relief to support the children and families struggling to rebuild their lives and their communities."

NBA Cares is the league's global social responsibility program that builds on the NBA's mission of addressing important social issues in the United States and around the world. Through this program, the NBA, its teams and players have donated more than $210 million to charity, completed more than 2.3 million hours of hands-on community service, and created more than 760 places where kids and families can live, learn, or play, in 23 countries and territories on five continents.

(China Daily 04/26/2013 page24)