FIBA Basketball
CHN - Yao could still make Worlds
BEIJING (FIBA World Championship) - China star Yao Ming could yet be fit to play for his country at the FIBA World Championship in Japan. Yao's NBA season with the Houston Rockets was cut short by a broken foot on April 10, and it was feared that the injury would jeopardise his chances of playing in the tournament this August.However, after the 7ft 5in center
BEIJING (FIBA World Championship) - China star Yao Ming could yet be fit to play for his country at the FIBA World Championship in Japan.
Yao's NBA season with the Houston Rockets was cut short by a broken foot on April 10, and it was feared that the injury would jeopardise his chances of playing in the tournament this August.
However, after the 7ft 5in center underwent surgery this week, Zhang Mingji, leader of Team Yao, has told China Radio International that Yao could recover in time to pull on a China jersey.
"I believe there is still a possibility for Yao to participate in the world championships," Zhang said.
After the surgery, Yao must now begin a long period of rehabilitation. First he must rest following the operation, but will then have physiotherapy before returning to China for conditioning.
Yao is hoping to be back in Beijing by mid-June, and will base himself at the National Training Bureau during his rehabilitation.
Yao's injury prevented him from accepting an invitation from the White House to attend the banquet which welcomed Chinese President Hu Jintao to Washington over the weekend.
PA Sport
Yao's NBA season with the Houston Rockets was cut short by a broken foot on April 10, and it was feared that the injury would jeopardise his chances of playing in the tournament this August.
However, after the 7ft 5in center underwent surgery this week, Zhang Mingji, leader of Team Yao, has told China Radio International that Yao could recover in time to pull on a China jersey.
"I believe there is still a possibility for Yao to participate in the world championships," Zhang said.
After the surgery, Yao must now begin a long period of rehabilitation. First he must rest following the operation, but will then have physiotherapy before returning to China for conditioning.
Yao is hoping to be back in Beijing by mid-June, and will base himself at the National Training Bureau during his rehabilitation.
Yao's injury prevented him from accepting an invitation from the White House to attend the banquet which welcomed Chinese President Hu Jintao to Washington over the weekend.
PA Sport