"White Yansong was right, 'resigned' CBA Chairman Yao Ming has embarked on a new path!"
Once upon a time, someone evaluated Yao Ming by saying, "Apart from his height, none of his other conditions are suitable for playing basketball!" At first glance, this remark does seem to have some truth to it. Consider this: a giant who stands at 2.26 meters tall thanks to his natural talent, yet still criticized for lacking the necessary conditions. Shouldn't ordinary people just call it a day then? However, it is precisely this seemingly sarcastic comment that vividly outlines the stubborn determination in Yao's career and the numerous challenges he has faced.
When we talk about Chairman Yao - oh, I should say former chairman now, most of our memories probably start with the "Shanghai lad." He was born into a family with a standard basketball pedigree; his genes were destined for greatness. With parents who combined are over four meters tall, what kind of child could you expect but a tall one? Indeed, he stood out from the crowd at a young age. But don't think that just because of his height, everything would be smooth sailing. Honestly, during his training days, coaches often told him, "You're just a wooden stake; if it weren't for your height, I would have advised you to change careers long ago." What does this mean? It means that even though he stood closer to the basket than anyone else, his agility and speed were initially lacking. However, one cannot let others define their fate, can they?
Thus, he trained tirelessly to prove himself. From domestic CBA courts to the international stage, the name "Oriental Giant" gradually became renowned. In the 2002 NBA draft, he became the number one pick, and the image of him smiling in a suit while holding the Houston Rockets cap still resonates with fans today. This was a historic breakthrough, the first in Chinese basketball history! Moreover, I must tell you that at the time, many American media outlets cynically predicted, "This Chinese big guy is probably just here for fun; he'll be back eating steamed buns in two or three years." But what happened? He silenced the skeptics with his performance. Look at his blocks, rebounds, and crucial shots, not to mention his All-Star votes - he became one of the world's favorite centers. Is this something anyone could achieve?
Of course, everyone has their weaknesses, and no matter how capable, reality always presents challenges. For someone like Yao with such a massive physique, injuries come more easily. By the time he was not yet 30, he had undergone frequent knee surgeries and ankle fractures, ultimately having to bid farewell to the court prematurely. His peak period came to an abrupt end, and honestly, that feeling must have been tough. Yet, surprisingly, after retiring, he did not fade from public view; instead, he seemed to shine even brighter in a different way.
In 2017, something shook the entire sports circle: Yao Ming became the chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association. And with this appointment came many new developments, such as abolishing the promotion and relegation system in men's and women's basketball leagues and strengthening the cultivation of youth teams, etc. I remember Bai Yansong once commented that this was a bold attempt at reform. However, reform is never easy and always comes with growing pains. On one hand, we see the gradual progress in grassroots development; on the other, we face undeniable issues, such as the national team's declining performance. After losing key matches in the Men's Basketball World Cup and missing out on Olympic qualification, various doubts emerged. Whether it's the media or online critics, discussions began on "What's going on with Chinese basketball?" As the person in charge, the pressure naturally fell heavily on his shoulders. Some even called for his resignation, which would be tough for anyone, but in the end, he chose to step down voluntarily and expressed his willingness to take full responsibility.
After stepping down, many might have thought he would retreat completely and return to being that low-key entrepreneur. However, the reality is quite the opposite. He turned to public welfare and devoted himself to promoting his charity project, the "Yao Foundation." Everyone knows that this foundation has been dedicated to improving educational and sports opportunities for children in poor areas, and in recent years, it has made significant progress in multiple fields. Sometimes, when you think about it carefully, it feels quite miraculous: the young man who once only thought about perfecting each dunk now has his sights set on the growth space of the next generation. If the past was about passing power on the court, now it's about spreading hope in every corner of society.
Talking about this, do you get the feeling that life is wonderful and never follows a straight line? When you first started out, no one believed in your abilities; after reaching the top, you quickly plummeted due to physical issues; after finally regrouping to manage, you encounter a series of setbacks... Ordinary people might have given up long ago, but for Yao, each failure seems to pave the way for a new chapter. The phrase "From making oneself excellent to striving to make others excellent" aptly describes his personal growth journey.
So, if you ask me how I view the former chairman after leaving office today, I can only express one sentiment: truly great individuals will shine no matter where they are. Initially, as an athlete, he fought with sweat to earn respect; later, as a manager, he put in his utmost effort to change the status quo for his dreams; and now, although he has stepped out of the core circle, he still holds onto his original intention and continues to write a legendary story in another form. Over all these years, have you noticed that no matter how times change or identities transform, as long as the direction is correct, one can always find their own path!
As for the future, it's hard to predict what will happen next. But one thing is certain: as long as Chinese basketball needs to develop and vulnerable social groups require care and assistance, those large and warm hands will never be absent, because certain responsibilities have already been deeply ingrained in the blood and cannot be dispelled. And this persistence itself is the most touching legacy of belief, isn't it?