The 11th Yao Foundation Charity Game, took place in Macau for the first time last night, at Galaxy Arena in Cotai, with the participation of about 20 well-known national and overseas basketball players, including Fang Shuo, Zhai Xiaochuan and Kyranbek Makel in the Chinese All-Star Team, along with the International Basketball All-Star Team composed of players such as Jeremy Lin Shu-How and Isaiah Jamar Thomas, in addition to 20 outstanding young players selected by the Yao Foundation Hope Primary School Basketball Season from 29 provinces and cities.
In the 120-minute game, divided into four quarters, the International Basketball All-Star Team won with a score of 144 to 147.
Yao Ming, founder of the Yao Foundation and chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association, said in a speech during the opening ceremony that the charity game was aimed at promoting the healthy growth of the young generation through sports.
Meanwhile, Zhang Huawei, deputy secretary-general of the China Youth Development Foundation, said during a press conference about the charity game at Galaxy International Convention Centre on Saturday that the Yao Foundation Charity Game has been held 10 times, which has received support from hundreds of basketball superstars both domestically and internationally, pointing out that the 11th edition, in Macau yesterday, was the first stop after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Buddy Lam Chi Seng, executive vice president of the Corporate Office of Galaxy Entertainment Group, said at the press conference that as one of the co-organisers and title sponsor of this year’s Yao Foundation Charity Game, “we hope to elevate the public’s awareness of sport and charitable causes”, which was in line with the government’s “1+4” appropriate diversification development strategy for Macau’s economy by developing its four new key industries, namely big health, modern finance, high-tech, and conventions and exhibitions as well as culture and sport.
International Basketball All-Star Team, including Jeremy Lin Shu-How (first from left, second row) and a number of outstanding young players come on the stage before the start of the game last night.
Yao Ming, founder of the Yao Foundation and chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association, delivers a speech during yesterday’s opening ceremony of the 11th Yao Foundation Charity Game at Galaxy Arena in Cotai. – Photos: Yuki Lei
