The squabble has sparked a headache for Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) boss – and former NBA star – Yao Ming and is the latest public spat to engulf a major league.

Yao Ming, president of the Chinese Basketball Association, attends the opening ceremony during the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series Wuhan Stop 2023 at Wuhan Jiangxia Shengfan Sports Park May 6, 2023, in ...

The Chinese men's national team didn't qualify for the Olympics in either 2020 or 2024, so its last appearance was in Rio in 2016. The women's team has qualified for every Summer Games since 2004.

The squabble has sparked a headache for Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) boss – and former NBA star – Yao Ming and is the latest public spat to engulf a major league.