The famous Harlem Globetrotters basketball team will be here in Jamaica for a series of exhibition games from December 2-7. Marland Nattie, president of the Jamaica Basketball Association, tips off with the major sponsors, represented by Sharon Henry (left), Air Jamaica, Heather Shields (second left), Digicel Jamaica, Simone Grant (centre) Supreme Ventures Limited and Nicola Madden-Gregg (partially hidden) Knutsford Court Hotel. - CONTRIBUTED THE WORLD-FAMOUS Harlem Globetrotters' tour of the island from December 2-7 will take them beyond the basketball court and directly to the fans.
The basketball team's colourful style of play has long been admired by many fans, particularly children, and the players will be visiting the Maxfield Park Children's Home on Saturday, December 4 to rap with the children. They will also be hosting a basketball clinic with the Mini League players, Under-13, at the National Stadium courts that same morning.
Later that day, they will be at Tropical Plaza signing autographs and 'lyming' with fans. They will attend a service at the Hope United Church on Sunday, December 5, and on Friday, December 3 they will be hosted by two of the sponsors, Life of Jamaica and Digicel, to greet their staff.
The 'Magicians of the Hard-wood' will play three exhibition games at the National Indoor Sports Centre on December 3, 4 and 5, and at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay on December 6.
Laced with great skills and comical antics, the Globetrotters have played in more than 20,000 games in 117 countries for more than 120 million fans. They made their first visit to the island in 1979 and owner and Chairman Mannie Jackson said that Jamaica is one of their most anticipated stops in a hectic 2004 world tour.
EXCITING
"It is always exciting to bring the Globetrotters back to places that have not seen the team play for a number of years," Jackson said.
The team's 26 players and coaches will arrive in the island next Thursday and will leave the following Tuesday.
The Globetrotters have had NBA greats such as Earvin 'Magic' Johnson and Wilt Chamberlain on their roster. Chamberlain was one of their most successful players and was the first to have his jersey retired in 2000.
