TORONTO, 14 December — Basketball superstar Hakeem Olajuwon, who have been practicing and playing empty stomach during the holy month of Ramadan, is set to delight a huge crowd, especially the Muslim basketball fans, during NBA’s Eid Game against Miami Heat here on Dec. 23.
“I will make extra efforts to please Torontonians, especially Muslim youths who will be watching us in action,” said the Raptors’ center while talking to Nav Bhatia, a promoter of the game.
NBA’s regular Raptors vs. Heat fixture of December 23 has been declared as an Eid Game on the request of Bhatia, a leading Canadian Businessman of Indian origin.
Nav Bhatia, a turban clad Sikh, yesterday launched an appeal asking South Asian community members to see in action the NBA stars, especially Raptors two Muslim stalwarts – Olajuwon and Mamadou N’diya, here at the Air Canada Center on Dec. 23.
“Sports is one area where we can get together and enjoy at this difficult time,” he said while talking to newsmen yesterday.
Explaining the idea of sponsoring an Eid game, Bhatia said:“The Muslim community members living in and around GTA (Greater Toronto Area) have always supported my projects. In my own style I wanted to say — Thank You — and tell them, here is your Eid gift.” He said Olajuwon and Mamadou N’diya are intending to produce their best game to win the hearts of their Muslim brothers and sisters.
Olajuwon, a 12-time NBA All-Star, said again that he enjoys playing most while fasting. “My faith in Islam and its philosophy of fasting gives me extra strength during the month of Ramadan every year.” Olajuwon, who joined the Toronto Raptors this summer, said he is getting tremendous support from his teammates and fans here. “For me, Toronto is my new hometown. Raptors are a great team with great potential. I feel I’m in a great position,” said the 38-year-old NBA veteran, who has three beautiful daughters –Abisola, Rahma and Aisha.
Mamadou N’diya, Raptors another Muslim player, welcomed organizers decision to call Dec. 23 fixture as an Eid game. “It’s good for all of us,” he said.
Born in Dakar, Senegal, on June 16,1975, Mamadou speaks fluent English and French.
Raptors’ season ticket count
ranks second in NBA
The commitment by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. to a championship vision has led the Raptors to success not only on the court but at the turnstyles as well, a club official said here Wednesday.
The Toronto Raptors now have the second-largest season ticket base in the National Basketball Association (NBA), with 15,353 seats owned by season seat holders.
The Raptors achieved this mark by leading the NBA with a 97 percent renewal rate on season tickets for the 2001-02 season.
The Raptors sold another 4,200 new full season tickets and more than 5,000 season ticket equivalents to account for the total. “Our season ticket numbers exemplify the excitement that surrounds the Raptors both on and off the court,” said Chris Overholt, vice president of sales and service for the club. “In just our seventh season, we are witnessing incredible fan support and commitment to the franchise.” Much of the explosion in off-season interest in the Raptors resulted from the team re-signing All-stars Vince Carter and Antonio Davis, along with Alvin Williams and Jerome Williams. The successful summer was punctuated by the acquisition of veteran centre Hakeem Olajuwon, selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history.
The Raptors rank among the league leaders in attendance registering a sellout in nine of their 10 home games this season.
