Yao Ming elected as FIBA Asia Chairman
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Former National Basketball Association (NBA) star Yao Ming has been elected chairman of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia at the General Assembly in Bengaluru in India.

Gold medalists of China from the men's and women's team pose for a photograph with Yao Ming after the victory ceremonies in Jakarta, September 1, 2018. (Photo: VCG)

Meanwhile, Qatari Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani has been re-elected as President of FIBA Asia for a third term.

Yao is the third Chinese to take up the role after Xin Lancheng and Li Yuanwei since 2002.

Thirty-eight-year-old Yao played for the Houston Rockets between 2002 and 2011, and an eight-time NBA All-Star, is now chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association.

Yao has initiated reforms in Chinese basketball during the past few years which saw them sweep all four basketball golds at last year's Asian Games, with the men and women teams winning both the 5v5 version, as well as the 3v3 event, a new record in the sport's history.

China will also host the upcoming Basketball World Cup across the country from August 31 to September 15.