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Basketball superstar Yao Ming met about 1 400 secondary school students and teachers in Hong Kong this evening (July 16) to share the experiences of his athletic career and pass on some of his basketball skills.
"Yao Ming and You: Close Encounter with the Living Legend" was organised jointly by the "Passing on the Torch" National Education Activities Platform, the Hong Kong-Shanghai Economic Development Association and the Education Bureau. The activity aimed at promoting positive attitudes and values among students.
Speaking at the event, the Secretary for Education, Mr Eddie Ng Hak-kim, said, "The determination and perseverance with which Mr Yao overcame the challenges throughout his basketball career make him a role model for our students.
"Indeed, perseverance is one of the priority values and qualities which we seek to nurture through Moral and Civic Education. The Education Bureau hopes tonight's activity will inspire students to set worthy goals and work hard to achieve them, to develop positive values and attitudes and to think about life planning from different angles.
"Mr Yao pursued further studies at a university after leaving his basketball career. His tireless efforts and passion in learning have set a good example of lifelong learning for young people."
The activity was held at Southorn Stadium, Wan Chai. Before Mr Yao engaged in a lively dialogue with the students and teachers, he demonstrated his basketball skills and coached elite student basketball players from Diocesan Boys' School and the Church of Christ in China Kwei Wah Shan College.
The Chairman of the "Passing on the Torch" National Education Activities Platform and President of the Hong Kong-Shanghai Economic Development Association, Mr Andrew Yao, also attended the event.
Ends/Thursday, July 16, 2015
Issued at HKT 21:14
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