ABU DHABI // US basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will be in the capital this month to offer his support to a healthy living campaign.
Abdul-Jabbar, 67, played 20 seasons in the National Basketball League for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks, retiring in 1989 as the league’s highest points scorer.
Remembered on the court for his 7ft 2in frame and his undefendable skyhook shot, he is also known for his fight scene against Bruce Lee in the 1978 film Game of Death and his role as a pilot in the 1980 comedy Airplane!
Abdul-Jabbar will be supporting the Take a Step for Diabetes Week, which has been launched by the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC).
“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 centre.
“His participation in various community events hosted by our centres in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain will really help reinforce the message that a balanced diet and regular exercise are the simple steps needed.”
The week-long initiative will include Abdul-Jabbar giving talks at schools on the risks of diabetes.
He will also be meeting players participating in the annual Play for Life football tournament.
Mr Al Ramahi said Abdul-Jabbar’s support for the cause was especially timely because ICLDC’s annual community event, #Walk2014, is taking place on November 7, followed by World Diabetes Day on November 14.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
