Zhang Mingji, the captain of Yao's team told a local paper that
Yao Ming was "almost certain" to participate the warm-up game
against the United States and the Stankovic Continental Champions
Cup for China, which indicates he is highly possible to play the
World Championships.
The China and Rockets center did not showup for an opening
training session of Team China Monday in Beijing. Instead, he was
taking physical practices with his rehabilitation group.
According to Yao's team, the super star will also miss Team
China's European tour to continue nursing his injured foot.
However Yao Ming expressed his willingness to play a match as
soon as possible. He told the Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post
that he was ?°eager to play against the dream team?±, as it's an
important warm-up for the World Championships. Later Zhang
confirmed Yao's participation in the match during a telephone
interview.
The friendly match between China and United States will be
played in Guangzhou, capital of the southern Guangdong province
neighboring HongKong in early August. It will be followed by the
Stankovic Cup in Nanjing prior to the World Champions in Japan.
(CRI July 18, 2006)
