NBA Names Olajuwon Africa’s Ambassador

 
Former Nigerian NBA star and two-time NBA Champion, Ha­keem Olajuwon has been named NBA Ambassa­dor to Africa and will play a prominent role in the devel­opment of basketball on the continent.
Olajuwon, a Basketball Hall-of-Fame will work closely with the NBA Africa office, which is located in Johannesburg, South Africa and led by Amadou Gallo Fall, NBA’s Vice President for Development in Africa. He will represent the NBA through a range of basketball development events and NBA Cares activities across the region to help grow the game, give back to communities in need, and bring attention to diplomacy through the sport.
“Basketball has given me so much in life,” said Olaju­won. “In this new role I am looking forward to impacting young Africans and utilizing the power of sports to help change lives in what is an exciting new chapter in my career.”
“We are elated that one of the greatest to ever play the game, a son of Africa, and a legend of Hakeem’s stature will officially represent the NBA in Africa,” said Amadou Gallo Fall. “He truly embod­ies the values of the game, and will be a great ambas­sador for the league and a perfect role model for Africa’s youth.”
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Olajuwon was selected as the number one pick in the 1984 NBA Draft, becoming the first African player selected first overall. His playing highlights include: 12-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA Champion (1994, ‘95), NBA Most Valuable Player (’94), and two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year (’93, ’94). He is the only player in league history to be named MVP, Finals MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season (1993-94).
The NBA has a long history in Africa with more than 30 players from the continent playing in the league since 1984. Basketball without Bor­ders Africa had been held 11 times on the continent and the league opened its African of­fice in Johannesburg in 2010.
 Source:sunnewsonline.com