Yao arrives in Hong Kong for AIDS charity events
September 20th, 2005by John
Yao arrives at Hong Kong’s airport to participate in a three-day fundraiser for China’s AIDS Prevention Campaign event. Click here for more photos on Yao’s arrival in Hong Kong.
ClubYao’s correspondent in Hong Kong, Raymond, provided the following report about Yao’s activities in China since the Chinese national team won the Asian Championships last week. As an Image Spokesperson for the China AIDS Prevention Campaign, Yao arrived in Hong Kong to participate in a three-day fundraiser for the charity.
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In yesterday’s press conference at the airport, Yao Ming talked about several things:
1. He talked about how Magic Johnson had triggered him to become a spokesperson for AIDS Awareness and Prevention for China.
2. He said Magic was one of the very first NBA stars he knew since he was a child. He felt regretful that Magic had to retire from the NBA due to HIV/AIDS.
3. When Magic Johnson approached Yao for a commercial regarding AIDS awareness and prevention, Yao did not hesitate a bit and made the commitment.
4. He also said that AIDS is now very serious in China, and he has found his current role as the spokesperson for China’s AIDS Prevention Campaign a very meaningful one. He hopes he will play as a bridge and help China in doing a better job in AIDS awareness and prevention.
5. He also talked about the national team. He felt that all the team members are still very young, around 22 and 23 years old. He felt they should be given the chance to play abroad to have the chance to grow and develop, such that they can peak in time for the 2008 Olympics and beyond.
Yao will be the Guest of Honour tonight at the Hong Kong Grand Hyatt for a fund-raising dinner banquet, where his autographed Rockets jersey, basketball, posters (of him and Magic together) will be auctioned. Up until now, HK$ 5 Million had been raised already.
Yao will then appear tomorrow (September 22) in a basketball clinic at Wanchai’s Queen Elizabeth Stadium for 3,000 + young basketballers/kids, where he will talk about AIDS prevention and awareness and demonstrate his basketball skills before wrapping up his Hong Kong visit.