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Sports / China
Shooting from the heart for a noble cause
By Lei Lei (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-09-15 11:07
NBA and CBA stars, enthusiastic spectators, lively cheerleaders. It had
all the trappings of a high-class professional basketball match. But the
Capital Steel Plant's Basketball Center in western Beijing got more than
that on Friday night.
Initiated by Chinese NBA star Yao Ming and Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash,
the match was organized to help poor Chinese children.
China's national team took on nine NBA players, including two-time MVP
Nash, Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony, Golden State Warriors' Baron Davis
and Phoenix Suns' Leandro Barbosa.
The music playing in the background was relaxing, as was the game, but
skill and deftness of the players was in full display. The players
changed teams in the second half, with the Chinese team emerging 101-92
winners.
Yao said the entire proceeds from the match will go to the China Youth
Development Foundation, which started Project Hope in 1989 to help poor
children in rural areas complete at least primary level education.
The money will help build primary schools in western China, help Uygur
girls attend school in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, upgrade
teaching facilities in special schools for intellectually challenged
children and promote the Special Olympics.
Though the total proceeds from the event is yet to be known, at least 7
million yuan ($927,000) was collected from the charity auction banquet on
Thursday night.
"I hope more such games are held to help ensure better childhood and
brighter future for poor children," Yao said.
Many social celebrities joined hands to help make the players' endeavor a
success. Hong Kong's kung fu and Hollywood star Jackie Chan started the
match, while actress Zhao Wei and director Feng Xiaogang attended the
auction banquet, urging people to donate more generously.
The Olympic package was the most expensive at the auction: 3.6 million
yuan ($476,800). Beijing Huiyuan Beverage and Food Group President Zhu
Xinli was the successful bidder. The package includes two tickets for the
2008 Beijing Olympic Games' opening ceremony, two premier class plane
tickets from anywhere to Beijing and the shoes Yao will wear at the
Olympics.
"I'm very happy to contribute something to the poor children," Zhu said.
He bid successfully for the NBA tour package too, paying 1 million yuan
($132,400) to experience the Houston Rockets' game next season in the US.
"The money we collected is beyond my expectations," said Yao, who himself
donated 250,000 yuan ($33,100). "Our attitude toward charity activities
is most important. I hope more people will join hands for charity."
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