Yao Ming and Steve Nash attend the charity
auction in Beijing on Thursday, September 13, 2007, one day prior
to their clash at the Shougang Basketball Centre Gymnasium. (Photo:
Xinhua)
A total of seven million yuan were raised at a charity auction
on Thursday in Beijing, attended by Chinese basketballers and NBA
stars.
Houston Rockets center Yao Ming and Phoenix Suns guard Steve
Nash appeared at the banquet, part of the charity activities
jointly sponsored by themselves, that also includes a charity game
on Friday.
All the money collected from the auction and from Friday's game
will be used to aid schooling for kids in China's poorest
regions.
Seven people became winners after fierce bidding at the
salesroom where precious items, including Beijing Olympic tickets
and the jersey Michael Jordan wore in the NBA final, were on
sale.
Every winner will gain a set of articles with a special theme.
The pack - featuring the Beijing Olympics - that includes tickets
and a pair of sports shoes once worn by Yao Ming - was auctioned at
the highest rate - 3.6 million yuan.
6.75 million yuan were collected from the auction and Yao Ming,
who enjoys a high reputation both in China and in the US,
contributed another 250,000 yuan to the sum.
The charity game between the Chinese national team and the NBA
Stars is scheduled for Friday evening, at the Shougang Basketball
Centre Gymnasium.
(CRI.cn September 14, 2007)
