Sports
        

Photos

Yao Ming to announce retirement soon

Updated: 2011-07-09 13:18

(Xinhua)

Twitter Facebook Myspace Yahoo! Linkedin Mixx

Yao Ming to announce retirement soon
Houston Rockets Yao Ming is pictured during a timeout against the Phoenix Suns during their NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Arizona in this April 1, 2009 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

BEIJING - Yao Team is planning to announce Yao's retirement soon, a source close to Yao told Xinhua Saturday.

In an email sent to Xinhua, Yao Team said Yao Ming is to hold news conference on July 20 about his "personal future development plan".

Earlier Yao Team confirmed Yao had decided to retire and was planning to announce his decision on August, but several American reports had released the news on Friday.

Related readings:
Yao Ming to announce retirement soon Yao reunites with former teammate at Athens Special Olympics
Yao Ming to announce retirement soon Yao and movie star Zhang assist Special Olympics
Yao Ming to announce retirement soon Yao may retire this summer if ankle doesn't heal
Yao Ming to announce retirement soon Yao: I'm motivated by daughter

Another source of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) said Yao and his Yao Team came to Beijing two weeks ago to inform the Chinese basketball governing body his decision.

NBA China, however, denied receiving any official information from Yao about his retirement.

"We didn't receive any information about his retirement from Yao Ming himself, and Yao Ming didn't come to the headquarter in Beijing in the past weeks," said Bo-Ning Yang, Senior Director of Communications And Community Relations of NBA China.

Xinhua's Washington Bureau had confirmed that the Houston Rockets did not have any contact with Yao about his decision after Xinhua's sports jounalist called the Rockets' office Friday night.

Yao, 31 year old, played nine seasons for the Rockets after he was drafted on No. 1 in 2002 by the Rockets.

The most famous Chinese sports star has been suffering from foot injuries in the past two seasons.

He was supposed to become free agent this summer after his contract is expired and the Rockets had tried to deal the 2.26m center last season.

   Previous Page 1 2 Next Page  

Specials

90th anniversary of the CPC

The Party has been leading the country and people to prosperity.

 The write stuff

'Pen capital' goes back to drawing board for answers to economic changes taking shape in Zhejiang

Say hello to hi panda

An unusual panda is the rising star in Europe's fashion circles

Pret-a-design
Mom’s the word
Big win