The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) has elected Yao Ming as its new president. He is the first leader of the association who has no government background. The news has cheered Chinese basketball fans. Many have pinned their hopes on Yao to give Chinese basketball a much needed shot in the arm. Yao also said his goal is to reform the organization. 

The 37-year-old basketball celebrity was the only candidate in the election. Expectations for his leadership are high.

"Basketball reform is a trend. If we want to develop Chinese basketball we need someone with international vision and insight to lead the team and finish the job,” said CBA Vice President Gong Luming. 

Yao is well prepared. Nine years serving in the American NBA gave him ideas as to how the Chinese Basketball Association should work. 

In his plan, the main principle is that the CBA should remain as a non-profit organization. The development of intellectual property and business rights will also be a focus of Yao's reform. In the new hierarchy, Yao will have the final say over appointing new hires.

Previously, officials from the Basketball Management Center under the General Administration of Sport were in charge of the CBA. Naming Yao Ming as the president means that the CBA will be separate from the management center and begin to operate as an independent association. The separation means that the CBA will enjoy more freedom in its operations.

Dong Jun, a commentator on EVER-SPORT, told World Insight with Tian Wei (@worldinsightTW): “I think he is ambitious and carries a lot of expectations on the CBA reforms."

Basketball is not the only sport that's been looking to be reformed. Chinese football has been searching for ways to improve the competitiveness of its teams. After carrying out management reforms in 2016, football clubs are spending record high amounts on buying foreign players. Even after the Chinese football association issued a new policy on limiting the use of foreign players, there were reports that a Chinese football club is willing to pay 32 million British pounds to English football veteran Wayne Rooney, though Rooney later turned down the offer. 

Mark Dreyer, who is the founder of China Sports Insider, told‍ World Insight with Tian Wei that China has to develop from the grassroots to really improve its competitiveness. “The money, instead of spending on players like Rooney, should be invested in the infrastructure and grassroots game,” explained Mark Dreyer. 

(Cover photo designed by Ding Shuyao from World Insight with Tian Wei)