ABU DHABI // UAE residents will get a chance to meet US basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at Yas Marina Circuit if they join him in supporting a local social media campaign to combat diabetes.
The six-time USA National Basketball Association champion is showing his support for Take a Step for Diabetes Week, launched by the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC), by posting a “shoefie”, a picture of himself taking a step for diabetes on Twitter.
Abdul-Jabbar, 67, has nominated influential media figures in the UAE, including Dubai radio personalities Kris Fade and Brent Black and editor in chief of The National newspaper, Mohammed Al Otaiba, to also take a step for diabetes.
In reply Mr Al Otaiba tweeted: “Thanks for the nomination @kareemabduljabbar_33 @kaj33! #TheNationalUAE supports #healthyliving! We will definitely be at #Walk2014.”
The top postings of participants entering their photographs in support of the campaign will get a chance to meet Abdul-Jabbar at an autograph signing session at Yas Marina Circuit on Tuesday, October 28.
The signing session is part of Abdul-Jabbar’s week-long stay in the UAE that will include a visit to the ICLDC headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
“We are very excited to have Kareem visit the UAE in support of ICLDC’s healthy lifestyle campaign,” said Bashar Al Ramahi, chief executive of the ICLDC.
Mr Al Ramahi said the centre was looking forward to hosting Abdul-Jabbar and was very excited to have him support its healthy lifestyle campaign.
The leading scorer in NBA history, Abdul-Jabbar will also visit Al Ain during his stay, where he will speak at a school and walk for the campaign at the Al Ain Municipality.
tsubaihi@thenational.ae
