The NBA Yao Basketball Club, jointly developed and operated by NBA China and Yao Ming, is looking to set up 100 basketball specialist schools over the next one or two years in Fuzhou of Fujian Province, as part of a partnership deal with the local education governing body.

The pair will also work closely to create a campus basketball league system, with a reinforced training model for coaches, referees and youth players.

According to a Xinhua report, the two parties aim to combine basketball with education in the best way. Students in primary and secondary schools will be able to receive tailored basketball training projects in their extracurricular time. 

The partnership will start with 14 pilot schools in the first stage. The Club will help those schools establish their campus teams and different age groups as well as organize basketball training clinics for students. 

The Club will also provide technical support for Fuzhou in choosing pitches and equipment as well as training opportunities for outstanding players in summer camps, winter camps and overseas camps.

Source: Xinhua

Proofread by William Logsdon