The NBA's Basketball without Borders program was launched in Beijing.   

Houston Rockets' Chinese sensation Yao Ming leads a group of five NBA stars at Friday's opening ceremony at Beijing Olympic Training Facility. Tony Parker from the NBA champions, the San Antonio Spurs is another great attraction. The Philadelphia 76ers' Samuel Dalembert and Kyle Korver were also present while New Orleans Hornets' Bostjan Nachbar was the host of the opening ceremony.

Some lucky participants were selected for a training session with NBA players and coaches after the ceremony.

The NBA program features a new Reading and Learning Center facility, a basketball court, a Special Olympics Basketball Clinic and an HIV/AIDS Awareness event.

(CRI July 15, 2005)