Yao Ming (left) and George Hill converse during a presentation at the 2016 Yao Foundation Hope School's basketball season in Chengdu. Photo: Courtesy of Peak Sport

Primary students of Hope School in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, were in for a treat when NBA star George Hill and Yao Ming visited for a coaching session on July 24. It was a part of the 2016 Yao Foundation Hope School's basketball season put on by the Yao Foundation.

Hill's trip to Chengdu was a part of Peak Sport's 2016 NBA Players' China Tour. He arrived at the Chengdu University of Information Technology's gymnasium early in the morning and guided the young basketball enthusiasts along with Yao.

The duo, who acted as assistant coaches for two different teams, shared some tips and tricks with the kids before engaging them in a friendly match. Lu Hao from the Yao Foundation Management Committee kicked off the match.

It was a fun experience for everyone involved, including the spectators.

During the awards ceremony that followed, Hill gave a pair of signed basketball shoes to the best player on each of the two teams and praised the excellent performance of the little players. He also spoke highly of Yao's commitment to giving back to society through sports.

Yao said that the champion of the 2016 Yao Foundation Hope School's basketball season would attend a special training camp and compete in the league match in Yinchuan, the capital of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Yao also thanked Hill and Peak for supporting the 2016 Yao Foundation Hope School's basketball season.

Launched in 2012, the Yao Foundation Hope School's basketball season stages many basketball themed activities to endow underprivileged children with the opportunity to learn more about basketball, gain confidence, realize their dreams, develop a healthy mind and body, and enjoy the happiness of sports.

 The cooperation between Hill and Yao, which was a collaboration between Peak and the Yao Foundation, aims to encourage members of society to participate in public welfare activities to help enrich the lives of underprivileged children in China.