Yao appears as Ambassador to Special Olympics

Chinese NBA star Yao Ming has been named Goodwill Ambassador to the Shanghai Special Olympic Games in 2007.

Houston Rockets center Yao appeared at a press conference here on Friday afternoon, launching a series of public service announcements promoting the Special Olympics.

"The mentally-retarded people need more attention from the society. These athletes move me a lot with their effort and courage," said the 2.26m Shanghai native.

Yao was left home nursing a foot injury while his teammates are on a European tour building up for the World Championship in Japan in August.

The Chinese team lost their warm-up match to Lithuania 96-75 on Friday in Strasbourg, France.

By Xinhua