Basketball Fan Erick Thohir Saddened by Kobe Bryant's Passing
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27 January 2020 10:13 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The world has been saddened by the tragic passing of one of the basketball legends, Kobe Bryant, in a helicopter accident on Sunday. This news also hit hard on State-owned Enterprises (SOE) Minister Erick Thohir, who’s also the FIBA central board member.
“The news is truly shocking and as a member of the international basketball family, Kobe Bryant was also the world FIBA ambassador. His passing is a major loss [to us],” said Erick Thohir in a written statement on Monday.
Erick recalled his last meeting with Kobe in the 2019 FIBA World Cup 2019 finals in China during the handover of the 2023 basketball world cup host flag, which Indonesia will host alongside Japan and the Philippines.
What struck him the most about Kobe Bryant is the enchanting and hospitable nature of the NBA star. “You can have intimate conversations with him, and as a FIBA ambassador, I thought of inviting him to Indonesia to promote basketball. Unfortunately, he left too soon,” said Erick who had always been Kobe’s fan.
The state-minister also recalled the glory days of Kobe Bryant’s magnificent tenure together with Shaquille O'Neal able to take L.A. Lakers to the NBA glory.
ARIANDONO | TEMPO.CO