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League
chairman and former NBA star Yao Ming warns players and clubs to be careful,
says epidemic is not over yet
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Beijing(Agencies): The Chinese
basketball league has restarted after an almost five-month shutdown for the
coronavirus pandemic, with fewer foreign players and no fans in the stands.
The CBA was suspended on January 24 after the coronavirus
outbreak in Wuhan, a week before it was scheduled to return following a spring
break at the end of the regular season.
The semi-finals stage started Saturday, with 20 teams
divided into two divisions and limited venues to reduce travel. All stadiums
are closed to fans.
Zhejiang Lions beat the Nanjing Monkey Kings 112-95 in the
first game back, Hu Jinqiu leading the Lions with 26 points and 17 rebounds.
The Suzhou Dragons had a 105-98 win over Shenzhen Aviators in the second game.
Jeremy Lin and the Beijing Ducks were playing a late game against Liaoning
Flying Leopards.
League chairman and former NBA star Yao Ming praised the
work of the clubs and health authorities for helping get the CBA season
restarted.
“Everything you have
experienced this season will surely write a strong stroke in the history of the
CBA league, and the history will also bear in mind the hardship, dedication and
contribution of each of us,” Yao wrote in an open letter to players and fans
posted on the CBA's website.
“As the first
national large-scale sports event to be restarted in China, the CBA rematch has
a strategic significance for comprehensively promoting the resumption of
production and restoring life, and its social impact has exceeded the
basketball itself.”
China contained the spread of COVID-19 after being the
initial epicentre of the outbreak, but Beijing reported a rise in cases last
week and 205 people have been diagnosed with the virus in the capital since
then.
Beijing recorded a drop amid tightened containment measures
on Saturday, though, reporting 22 new cases along with five others elsewhere in
China. There are no new deaths and 308 people remain hospitalized for
treatment.
The slight rise in China last week came as the World Health
Organization warned that the pandemic is “accelerating” in parts of the world.
Yao warned players and clubs to be careful.
“The epidemic is not
over yet, we have to arrange for everyone to live, train and compete under
relatively closed conditions," he said.
“Neither the empty court nor the tournament system is a
rhythm we are familiar with, but the long-lost game is in front of us."
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