On 4th December 2016, FIBA (Federation International de Basketball Association) held its 1000-day countdown celebration for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup and announced that Yao Ming would be the first Image Ambassador of the tournament. It will be the largest ever International Basketball Festival with 32 teams.
Yao Ming twice captained the Chinese national basketball team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup and three times at the Olympics Games. He also led China to victory in the FIBA Asia Cup on three occasions. Because of these remarkable achievements he been appointed the Image Ambassador.
He said that they were looking forward to enjoying the spectacular performance of basketball players worldwide and hopes that this incomparable World Cup will attract more attention to this great sport.
Yao Ming played an important role in helping China achieve the right to host this FIBA flagship event. The announcement that he was to become the Image Ambassador was followed by a series of publicity promotional activities for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup. There will also be ongoing activities including draw ceremonies, qualifying matches and the release of World Cup emblem logos & mascots which will last till 31th August 2019.
Proofread by Sean O Diobhilin