Basketballer Yao Ming to ring in Year of the Tiger in China

2010/02/09

SHANGHAI: Houston Rockets star Yao Ming was due back in Shanghai on Tuesday to celebrate Chinese New Year with his family for the first time since joining the NBA eight years ago, his spokesman said.

The basketball superstar will spend most of his time with his family and attend charity events before returning to the United States at the end of the month, his spokesman Zhang Chi told AFP.

"I’m packing today. Flying to China early Monday for Chinese New Year, my first time back for it since signing w/Rockets,” Yao wrote on his Twitter feed before boarding an 18-hour flight from Houston to Shanghai.

Yao broke his foot in an NBA play-off game against the Los Angeles Lakers last May and is sitting out the entire 2009-2010 NBA season as he recovers.

The centre has said he plans to return to the Rockets next season, but will not be able to play for China at this year’s World Championships, which open in late August. -- AFP