The American National Basketball Association (NBA) yesterday launched a center in Shanghai to help migrant workers' children.

The NBA Cares Learn and Play Space officially opened its doors at the Lu Bing Hua Migrant School in Minhang District.

NBA Commissioner David Stern walks two children into the Lu Bin Hua Migrant School yesterday before opening the Cares Learn and Play Space.

Co-created by the NBA's partners - the Shanghai Charity Foundation, adidas and Lenovo - the new center includes a library, a technology area with 16 new Lenovo laptops, a multipurpose room and an adidas basketball court refurbishment.

"For kids, concerns should be given not only to their growth of mind, but also to their fitness," said David Stern, the NBA commissioner, at the opening ceremony. "Basketball can be a bridge connecting the world. All kids have an equal opportunity of learning and playing."

Attended by Cleveland Cavaliers players Donyell Marshall, Devin Brown and Cedric Simmons and NBA legends George Gervin, Daryl Dawkins, Rick Barry and Vlade Divac, a skills clinic was held after the ceremony.

"I would like to contribute to the world's community and I am glad to see those kids have a safe place to play and have access to thousands of books from both the library and the Internet," said Marshall.

The inauguration marked the start of NBA Cares program during the NBA China Games 2007. It is part of the NBA's far-reaching social-responsibility program.

NBA legends will join international film star Jet Li and his One Foundation today and officially open a new fun house at the Children's Palace of China Welfare Institute.

"The NBA has served as an envoy between China and the United States," said Xia Yongfang, SCF's general secretary. "Both charity and basketball are without borders."

(Shanghai Daily October 17, 2007)