Retired NBA star Kobe Bryant is to arrive in Taiwan this weekend for a two-day whirlwind visit to meet his legions of Taiwanese fans, with his first stop in Kaohsiung on Sunday before traveling to Taipei on Monday.
Sports enthusiasts in southern regions were said to be thrilled to learn that Bryant’s visit is focused on Kaohsiung, with two scheduled official events there, as part of his “Mamba Mentality Tour” in Asia.
The long-time Los Angeles Lakers frontman is to stay only briefly in Taipei, where he is to conduct a basketball training camp at the Nangang Municipal Sports Center on Monday morning, which is not open to the public, according to Nike Taiwan, the official sponsor of Bryant’s tour.
The NBA All-Star, known as “the Black Mamba,” came to Taiwan in August last year, as part of a tour of Asia that also saw him travel to China’s Guangzhou and Shanghai.
This weekend is to be Bryant’s fifth trip to Taiwan, having also visited in 2006, 2007, 2009 and last year.
With a wide fan base in Taiwan, Bryant has always been a popular figure, drawing huge crowds and frenzied scenes at public appearances.
Before the end of this visit in August last year, he promised to return, saying: “I love Taiwan” in Mandarin.
During the NBA All-Star break in February, which was Bryant’s final season, he confirmed his trip to Taiwan and sent greetings to his Taiwanese fans during a media interview.
In Kaohsiung on Sunday, “the Black Mamba” is to instruct young basketball players at a “Kobe Academy” training camp at the Kaohsiung Zhongzheng Stadium from 3:50pm to 4:30pm.
Event organizers said the Kobe Academy activities would be open to the public, adding that people can start entering the stadium at about 11am, with sports-related programs and activities to be put on throughout the day.
Bryant is also to open the “Mamba Mentality” Special Exhibit at the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center, presiding over the event from 5pm to 7pm.
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