Yao Ming Resigns as Chinese Basketball Association President

Yao Ming has officially stepped down as president of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), with vice chairman Guo Zhenming appointed as his successor. Yao's resignation, approved during the CBA's executive committee meeting, comes after a tenure marked by the men's national team's failures to qualify for the last two Olympic Games and ongoing concerns about the association's performance. While he expressed pride in the women's team's successes, including gold medals at the Asian Games, he cited a desire to allow new leadership sufficient time to implement their vision for the sport. Yao, who was elected CBA president in 2017 and re-elected in 2022, has received mixed reactions from fans, with many feeling his departure is a necessary change amid China's struggles in international basketball. His decision has quickly become a trending topic on social media in China, reflecting the public's divided sentiments towards his leadership. Despite his challenges as president, Yao remains a celebrated figure in basketball, having made significant contributions to the sport's development in China.