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CAL Chairman and Women's Basketballers Welcome NBA Legend

Published: Mar 31, 2017

China Airlines and NBA Taiwan partnered for the first time to invite 4-time NBA All-star and 2011 NBA championship team player Shawn “The Matrix” Marion to Taiwan and be the “private shooting coach” for lucky China Airlines fans. CAL Chairman Ho Nuan-Hsuan today (3/31) led members of the China Airlines Women’s Basketball Team who played for the nation in witnessing the passing of the baton in Taiwan's basketball community. They also demonstrated China Airlines’ commitment to supporting the sports.

Ten lucky CAL fans who purchased tickets between February 1 and March 22 as part of the “Fly to Your Dream” event were also invited to meet Shawn Marion face-to-face. A “MVP KNOCKOUT” hoop shooting competition was also held during the event with the grand prize being a free ticket to any destination in Asia.

CAL Chairman welcome the special guest with 5 well-known past members of the China Airlines Women's Basketball Team and presented Shawn Marion with a special “The Matrix” edition model of the new A350 passenger aircraft.

Chairman Ho said that China Airlines became the official partner airline for NBA in Taiwan for the first time. It will continue to apply its expertise in air transport as well as sincere passion and service to welcoming athletes from around the world to boost the international profile of Taiwan.

China Airlines is a longstanding supporter of the sports. The women's basketball team founded in 1973 has been the pride of China Airlines as well. Throughout its 23 years of existence, the players represented China Airlines in domestic and overseas competitions. Many were also chosen for the national team and played their role in citizen diplomacy. They strove to bring honor for the nation and left an unforgettable mark in the history of Taiwanese basketball. These basketball players who gave the men a run for their money are still serving with China Airlines after all these years. They not only bore witness to the passing of the baton in Taiwanese basketball but also look forward to the creation of a new China Airlines basketball team. (2017/03/31)

Remarks: Measuring 201cm in height, former NBA all-rounder Shawn Marion not only ran a tight offense but could also defend against the opposing team's center. His ability to excel in any role made him a rare bird in the NBA. His superb athleticism also led to the nickname “The Matrix.” Marion was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the first round and ninth overall in the 1999 NBA draft. He immediately became one of the team's core players and was chosen as a NBA All-Star four times (2003, 2005 ~ 2007), All-NBA Third Team two times (2004 ~ 2005, 2005 ~ 2006), and helped the Dallas Mavericks win the NBA Championship in 2011.