Yao in doubt for Asian Championship - Liu

BEIJING - Yao Ming's hopes of playing at the 2011 FIBA Asian Championship remain in doubt, said Liu Wei, the national team captain and Yao's former teammate with the Shanghai Sharks.

"Nothing is certain right now. He didn't tell me whether he will play at the championship," said Liu, who teamed with Yao to claim the Sharks' only Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) crown in 2002.

Although Yao is still trying to overcome a left ankle fracture which has sidelined him since last December, the CBA placed him on the national team's roster for summer training this month.