Basketball Charity Match in China
Some of the leading names in the sporting world continue to play an important role in the development of humanity, besides indulging in various charity campaigns the world over.
In a similar bid some of the biggest stars in the American National Basketball Association, including Phoenix Suns point guard' Stephen Nash, gathered in Chinese capital Beijing on Saturday for a charity exhibition game.
The game was held to raise funds for the children living in under-developed regions of the country and was a joint effort between the Chinese and the members of some of the leading teams in the American circuit.
The concept is the brainchild of China's very own NBA star Yao Ming. The match was won by an All-Star team of NBA players 101-95 over a Chinese national team.
The game took place at Beijing's National Indoor Stadium and was a big hit as the Chinese fans thronged in their numbers to see a galaxy of stars.
Some of the biggest names in the NBA including Nash, Aaron Brooks, Baron Davis, Brandon Jennings, Hasheem Thabeet, Amir Johnson, DaJuan Summers and Chase Budinger, delighted the crowd with their exploits on the basketball field.
However, there was disappointment for the local fans as Yao Ming did not take part in the game after failing to recover in time from a foot injury.
The Chinese capital was the first stop on the 2010 Yao Ming Foundation Charity Tour that is set to run in the last week of the ongoing month.
This series of events will be followed by a second charity game scheduled for Taipei next week.
Brandon Jennings was the star of the show the man who has made a big impression in the NBA in recent years for his team Milwaukee Bucks, scored 23 points in the game.
However, Jennings was not the one the show stealer at the end as the real star of the show was Nash, who has twice been named the NBA's MVP.
The fans had a great time in the event, calling the event a real success, and a memorable experience.
"Yao Ming and Stephen Nash bring the charity games to China, for us, it has significant meaning because it helps a lot of children in poverty-stricken areas in China", claimed one of the fans who thoroughly enjoyed witnessing top flight basketball.
The Funds rose during the charity games are targeted at rebuilding six schools in China's Sichuan Province.
The province endured a devastating earthquake that killed almost 90,000 people in 2008. Similarly, other funds will provide scholarships for students and develop sports programs at the schools.
Besides the games, a charity banquet was also held earlier in the week with some of the leading entrepreneurs from various sectors, and some celebrities form the world of entertainment taking part.
This was the second time that Nash had helped the cause for Yao Ming's charity, earlier he was part of a tour in 2007.
"As someone who loves kids, loves children, and wants to see children have an opportunity for a better life, it is a pleasure for me to try and help", Nash told reporters after the game.
"And I thought it was a great event and all the Chinese people should be really excited and proud they have someone like Yao to represent them and try and help their children”.
Yao Ming had set up the charity organization in 2008, after a disastrous earthquake that hit the Sichuan Province in southwest China.
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