Western Australia is the envy of Australia as it prepares to welcome the global superstar of basketball, Yao Ming to its world famous Cable Beach location in Broome.
Yao Ming, will visit WA and watch his Shanghai Sharks compete in the Cable Beach Invitational, an international basketball tournament created by Andrew Vlahov.
“Yao has accepted our invitation and we look forward to welcoming here to Western Australia. It is a very exciting time for basketball in this state and the country” said Vlahov.
Minister for Tourism, Dr Kim Hames, said Yao Ming had chosen WA as the first place to visit after his recent retirement from Houston rockets and the Chinese basketball team.
“Following the success of the YouYi Games and forthcoming Cable Beach invitational, it’s pleasing to see an international sports star like Yao Ming visiting WA and supporting sports tourism events in the State.”
The Cable Beach Invitational is a world first for Western Australia. 4 international teams, competing beach side and televised live to a massive ESPN-Star global audience.
“There are so many unique and innovative things about this tournament. Firstly, the setup will overlook the world famous Cable Beach, the wooden floor is being especially transported from the east coast, the grandstand is being purpose built for the event, the games will be televised throughout China and SE Asia, the teams are from 4 different countries and the list goes on and on” said tournament creator Andrew Vlahov.
“This will be so much fun and is probably the most difficult thing in sports I have done, but also the most rewarding. We feel very honoured that Yao will attend the games” added Vlahov.
Game Schedule:
30th September, 2011
Game 1 Indonesia v Shanghai 6pm
Game 2 Perth v Singapore 8pm
1st October, 2011
Game 3 Indonesia v Singapore 6pm
Game 4 Perth v Shanghai 8pm
Tickets for the Cable Beach invitational will are available through the Broome Visitor Centre or by phoning 9195 220
