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Harlem Globetrotters hope to inspire UAE’s youth

They get going with three games in Dubai on Thursday and Friday at the Dubai Tennis Stadium. The Globetrotters will play two more games in Abu Dhabi at the Zayed Sports City. A preview of it was shown by ‘Hi-Lite’ Bruton and ‘Buckets’ Blakes early this month at the Zayed Sports City’s Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex. The duo put on a dazzling display of basketball skills with a bunch of kids from the GEMS American Academy.

“Nothing means more to us than inspiring the youth around the world to chase their dreams and follow a positive path in life. Every child has the power to achieve whatever they set out to, no matter what the obstacles. Every Harlem Globetrotter is living proof that dreams do come true,” ‘Hi-Lite’ Bruton, a 12-year veteran said as he and ‘Buckets’ Blakes put their support behind a range of youth initiatives in the UAE capital.

The Globetrotters met hundreds of school children at various schools in Abu Dhabi, promoting the benefits of hard work, a good education and sporting participation to the youngsters. The players interacted with the children and spoke to them about the idea that anything in life is achievable through dedication and commitment. The Globetrotters, known worldwide as the Ambassadors of Goodwill, make their debut in Abu Dhabi on Saturday at Zayed Sports City’s International Tennis Complex with a doubleheader at 2pm. and 7pm.

The star’s also met with management from The International Centre of Excellence for Countering V iolent Extremism.

“The Globetrotters have always stood for equality, tolerance, and innovation. Our centre shares those values, and their commitment to youth engagement through sports diplomacy,” Robert McKenzie, project director in the centre in Abu Dhabi, said.

Richard Eason, the US Embassy in the UAE’s Counselor for Political Affairs, said: “Not only are the Harlem Globetrotters among the best basketball players in the world but they are also some of America’s best ambassadors.

“They touch people all over the world with the diplomacy of sports, demonstrating the value of cooperation and competition to the young, and making it fun.”

‘Hi-Lite’ Bruton and ‘Buckets’ Blakes will be joined by the rest of their teammates — ‘Jet’ Williams, ‘Stretch’ Middleton, ‘Special K’ Daley, ‘Firefly’ Fisher, ‘Too Tall’ Hall, ‘Prince’ Johnson, ‘Flip’ Atkins and ‘Quake’ Milum — as they wow the crowds expected in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.