BENGALURU: At the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium on Thursday and Friday, things were a lot different from the grand opening day when a quarter of the total seats were occupied. On weekdays, without much promotion, things were quiet at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup.
When Yao Ming, arguably one of Asia’s greatest sporting icons entered the stadium, barely anyone recognised him.
It was ironic, how Ming was walking around unrecognised and unsought on a day when another NBA big name Kevin Durant arrived in New Delhi amidst a blaze of publicity.
There was no grand welcome waiting for the 7’6” tall hoopster from China as he quietly sat and watched his team play. He stayed back until the matches were over but somehow managed to keep a low profile, despite his fame across the globe.
Perhaps, he was just the face on a viral meme for Indians.
That’s how the former Houston Rockets No 11 spent his first two days in the city, lurking behind players who would give everything to reach his stature. Ming’s presence came as a surprise for fans and organisers alike. As per BFI, they were not informed and neither did they or FIBA invite any of the players. But, BFI did not want to miss the chance to share the limelight with the NBA hall of famer. On Friday, he was formally welcomed and felicitated by the BFI.
The eight-time NBA All Star and Rockets’ first pick in 2002 NBA draft, retired in 2011, after an illustrious career where he averaged 19 points and 9.2 rebounds over 486 appearances, plagued by injuries.
Back in his hometown Shanghai, he remained close to the sport and bought his former club Shanghai Sharks. Now as the President of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), he is away from all the glamour he enjoyed half a decade ago.
As it panned out, after China’s defeat to archrivals Japan, he quietly made an exit, refusing to even speak to media and pose with a handful of fans for photographs on a rainy Friday evening.
Results (semifinals) Division A: Australia bt South Korea 81-64; Japan bt China 74-71. Division B: Kazakhstan bt Uzbekistan 77-51; India bt Lebanon 79-69.