China's NBA All-Star Yao Ming celebrates birth of first child

Houston Rockets centre Yao Ming and his wife Ye Li, a former basketball player with the Chinese national team, celebrated the birth of their first child on Friday.

"We are happy to announce the arrival of our daughter," seven-times NBA All-Star Yao, China's most popular sportsman, said in a statement. "This is a very special moment in our lives. We thank everyone for their support."

The seven-foot six-inch Yao, 29, has been sidelined from competition since having surgery on a hairline facture in his left foot last July.