Sports / Basketball |
Mutombo to be honored for charityBy JONATHAN FEIGEN (Houston Chronicle)Updated: 2007-06-21 00:21 Dikembe Mutombo laughed as easily as ever as he made it clear that despite Wednesday's events, he has not retired. But this is one Hall of Fame that could not wait for Dikembe Mutombo's career to end to honor him. Mutombo will be inducted into the Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame in Boise, Idaho, on Wednesday. Mutombo has contributed roughly $15 million of the $29 million he raised to build the 300-bed Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center in the Democratic Republic of Congo, efforts for which he was also cited in the State of the Union Address in January. Mutombo also works with the NBA's Basketball without Borders Africa initiative, United for Children, the United against AIDS campaign, and CARE. His Mutombo Foundation supports the International Polio Victims Response Committee in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and former major league All-Star Edgar Martinez are tonight's other inductees. "This means a lot to me," Mutombo said. "Even though I'm not retired from basketball, it means a lot to me. It tells me how much they appreciate everything I'm doing to make a difference and for the lives of future generations in Africa. "To me, it's a great honor. I appreciate the committee for voting me in and also for bringing me to Boise for my work in the United States and around the world." Mutombo said the hospital will officially open July 17. "Things are going very well, but we have to keep raising the money to run the hospital," he said. "We need our friends to support us with whatever contribution they can make to run the hospital properly." After planning to retire, Mutombo decided in midseason to play another year. After some trepidation following the season, he said he would like to return and said Tuesday that Rockets officials have told him they plan to contact his agent, David Falk. "I'm praying everything will be fine," he said. "I'm looking forward to wearing a Rockets uniform next year." |
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