Dubai: The US Ambassador to the UAE is convinced that basketball legend Kobe Bryant will be back here shortly.
“In fact, that’s the first thing Kobe told me earlier today,” Michael Corbin, US Ambassador to the UAE told Gulf News.
“Kobe was so pleased with everything that he has experienced during his short stay here that he wants to return.”
Bryant was in the UAE for the DMCC Kobe Bryant Health and Fitness Weekend to raise diabetes awareness in the country. The first day saw the NBA star coach 40-odd children at the GEMS American Academy in Abu Dhabi and followed this up by being coach to his Black Mamba team consisting of celebrities from across the world, including American rap star Soulja Boy.
“Kobe is such a huge ambassador for sport and for the US anywhere he goes. It has been one huge experience for us to have him among us, though for such a short while. But everywhere he goes, he leaves his mark and this weekend has been no different for all of us,” Corbin added.
The US Ambassador to the UAE carried out the customary tip-off at the start of the celebrity match on Friday, while Jose Eugenio Salarich, Spain’s Ambassador to the UAE did likewise for the second half. “Today we have seen Kobe power. We have seen what sort of an influence a man of his nature can have on people. One can feel the excitement on the faces of the people. It’s been a fantastic opportunity for the UAE and for raising diabetes awareness here,” Corbin said.
