The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) announced the men's national squad early on Friday morning when Yao Ming was excluded due to a season-ending foot injury. Yao sustained an injury in his left foot in Houston Rockets' 108-94 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on May 8. Team doctors said he had to rest for 8-12 weeks.

The newly Chinese team was formed for the 2009 Asian Men's Basketball Championships slated for August 6-16 in Tianjin, China.

"We don't expect Yao Ming to be ready in August. He needs at least two months to nurse the injury and another month for a full recovery. I don't think he can make it (for the championships)," said Hu Jiashi, vice president of

the Chinese Basketball Management Center, on Friday.

Most of the members of the 2008 Beijing Olympic

Games were registered in the new national team. The 34-year-old Guo Shiqiang was named the head coach of the team last week.

The CBA announced a backup national team on Wednesday, which Hu said, concluded most of the young stars of the domestic league.

"Players of the second national team have chances to make into the first team, if they work hard enough," Hu said. "We set up a backup national team in 2007 when three of the team made into the first team eventually. It's a good way to

help the young players being mature and being ready for bigger assignments."

"Both teams are the preparation for the 2012 London Olympics. The final squad for the Olympics will be selected from members of the two teams," Hu added.

【体坛英语资讯：China announces national basketball squad, without Yao】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Generous Spurs hand Arsenal early Christmas gift

★ 体坛英语资讯：Liverpool co-owner Gillett reveals death threats

★ 体坛英语资讯：New faces fill in for absent stars in qualifier

★ 体坛英语资讯：Nadal the latest upset at Masters Cup

★ 体坛英语资讯：Bayi loses do-or-die Game 4 to exit CBA play-offs

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Angelina Jolie leaves hospital

★ 体坛英语资讯：Pain-free Yao back on track for Games

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Moss expects second sell out

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Craig trains for next Bond film

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Tom and Katie plan steamy photo shoot