An official from the National Basketball Administrative Centre
has confirmed that Houston Rockets centre player Yao Ming will not
compete in the Stankovic Continental Champions Cup, set to kick-off
on July 28.
The administration will also allow Yao to miss a training tour
of Europe after the Stankovic tournament since Yao's private doctor
and the Rockets club have suggested that his shoulder injury is
unlikely to hold up against the intensity of such competitions.
The absence means Yao will miss out on all the major summer
preparations that have been arranged by the centre ahead of the
Beijing Olympics next year.
The "small giant" had earlier withdrawn from a tournament in Las
Vegas where the Chinese National Team clashed against several NBA
sides.
Hu Jiashi, who is in charge of national team affairs, revealed
that Yao will be able to participate in national team drills later
in September.
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(CRI.cn July 19, 2007)