Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

Mayor Hau Lung-bin, Robert Horry, and local professional basketball players attended the kick-off ceremony of the official National Basketball Association (NBA) website in Taiwan on April 15. Hau described the website as great news for local basketball fans.
The mayor recalled that his son is an avid fan of NBA and would watch the game first thing in the morning on TV. He told his son that it is OK to enjoy NBA games, but in exchange, he must work on his English. He also noticed that visitors can watch NBA games on the association’s official website; the English-only broadcast is a great venue for kids to be exposed to English.
He emphasized that the city government has worked with the NBA on several occasions, such as the exhibition matches in 2009. In addition to praising the association’s decision of establishing an official website in Taiwan, the mayor also invited NBA to hold another game in Taipei next year. He joked that his only worry about the website’s opening is watching his son’s grades plummet again.
Dignitaries attending the press conference included retired NBA basketball player Robert Horry, as well as local players Chou Chun-san, Ho Shou-cheng, and Chien Hao. Miami Heats star Dwayne Wade also expressed his congratulation via a pre-recorded video message.
Receiving a pack of pineapple cakes from the mayor, Horry remarked that today’s basketball fans are very fortunate to have Internet access, which provides a lot of information about the NBA. He also thanked the mayor for the warm reception in Taipei and presented the mayor with an autographed basketball.