According to reports in the national media, Yao’s resignation was approved at the federation’s board of directors meeting held yesterday.
The 44-year-old former basketball player, who played for <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/01/omer-faruk-yurtseven-made-a-double-double-in-the-nba-miami-heat-won/" title="Ömer Faruk Yurtseven made a 'double-double' in the NBA, Miami Heat won”>Houston Rockets, one of the NBA teams, for many years, handed over his position, which he has held since 2017, to vice president Guo Cınming.
During Yao’s term as president of the federation, the China Women’s National Basketball Team won gold medals in the Asian Games in 2018 and 2022, and silver medals in the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Championship.
The China Men’s National Basketball Team could not participate in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, and could not enter the top 16 in the 2019 and 2023 World Championships.
In his statement to the Chinese news agency Xinhua, Yao stated that the decision to resign was a “strategic move” to ensure a smooth transition of the administration to the next leadership, and that they wanted the new administration to have the chance to fully manage an Olympic period.
Stating that he gained significant experience in management, Yao said, “Unfortunately, our national basketball program could not meet our expectations in recent years. I chose to quit because I think it is time to evaluate the future of Chinese basketball differently.”
Yao, who is effective in the center position with his height of 2 meters 29 centimeters, attracted the attention of NBA teams. The Chinese basketball player was selected by the Houston Rockets in the 1st round with the 1st pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
