Yao Ming’s former coach in Shanghai has expressed regrets over the NBA star’s “retirement” but is confident he has a role to play in developing Chinese players.

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“We all hope he can play for a bit longer. It should have been his prime time at present.” said Li Qiuping. “His injuries force him to face reality. If he has decided to retire now, I totally understand and there are so many things Yao can do after retirement such as training teen players.”

Li’s sentiments echoes the feeling of most Chinese web users since the Houston Chronicle reported that the 30-year-old Yao has told the Houston Rockets a month ago he would not be coming back after 8 seasons in the league, the last two if which have been dogged by injuries.

IN a survey on web portal Sina.com, some 22,000 web users said Yao’s retirement “would be the end of an era,” Xinhua news agency reported.

Of 125,000 respondents, 37.6 percent said it was “sad” and Yao “should have achieved more,” while 25.1 percent were “calm” because they had “seen this coming.”

Yao’s agent John Huizinga said the player would make an announcement in his home city Shanghai on July 20, fueling speculation this would bring formal news of his retirement.

Agency French-Press