Nicol and Yao Ming show greatness comes in all sizes

PETALING JAYA: The contrast could not be more apparent as former squash world champion Datuk Nicol David caught up with Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming in Beijing.

The eight-time world champion Nicol only stands at 1.63m while former Houston Rockets giant Yao Ming towers above her at 2.29m.

But both share the same passion to empower youth through sports after wrapping up their respective sporting careers.

Nicol was honoured to meet the Chinese basketball icon and shared how they bonded over their shared passion for helping children, praising Yao Ming’s work through his foundation, which was established following the devastating Sichuan earthquake.

Common goal: Nicol and Yao Ming share the same passion to empower youth through sports.

“What is more admirable is that he also has his own foundation, the Yao Foundation, that empowers children through sports in rural China.

“They have built 28 schools, done PE (Physical Education) programmes and impacted around seven million children.

“We shared about my own foundation, the Nicol David Organisation, and how we are also hoping to change my country, Malaysia, through sports and education and share the love for understanding that more children need to be active to be healthier, happier and have a positive future,” said Nicol.

She also shared details about the non-profit organisation she co-founded in 2022 with former Colombian squash player Mariana de Reyes.

“My foundation is only four years old but this year we will impact 5,000 children. One day I hope to say we have impacted millions.”