Former American NBA player and minority stake holder of Sacramento Kings’ Shaquille O’Neal speaks during the ‘Stars Chat’ session at Aspire4Sport in Doha yesterday.
DOHA: Former NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has said he is keen to see his minority-owned Sacramento Kings play a pre-season match in Qatar within the next two years.
Speaking at a ‘Stars Chat’ session at Aspire4Sport in Doha yesterday, the seven-foot-one American said he will talk with the team’s co-owners, having held brief talks with Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Secretary-General and Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) President Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani over the possibility of playing a match in Qatar.
He said: “I give you my word that I hope to come over here in the next two years (with Sacramento Kings). I know that Qatar’s premier basketball arena will be finished by October next year, which is probably too soon to bring a pre-season game, but we will be back.”
The four-time NBA champion who is visiting the Middle East for the first time added: “Yes I can see it, I’ll be talking to my co-owners and I’m sure they’ll do it. I also had a conversation with Sheikh Saoud today about it, so we are all going to be working to get that going, but regardless, I’m going to be coming back (to Qatar) InshAllah.”
With a strong fan base in the United States and worldwide, O’Neal is keen for NBA to play matches worldwide as it would be a great opportunity for the fans.
“Yes I would like to see more games played around the world. I think it is good for the global part of the game. It will be good for the fans - playing pre-season, exhibition matches. I think it is important to play in different countries. It makes fans enjoy the sport more,” he said.
Having started his career with Orlando Magic after being drafted with the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft, O’Neal went on to claim numerous individual and team titles including winning the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) three times between 2000 to 2002, as well as being named Rookie of the Year in 1993.
Since retiring from the game after a one-year stint with Boston Celtics in 2011, O’Neal has enjoyed fame as an actor, music as well as business ventures.
After ruining Sacremento’s dreams of winning the NBA title as a player, O’Neal, who acquired a five percent stake in the team in September, wants the team to be successful but stressed that it will take time.
He said: “Every owner’s dream is to win the NBA Championship but we are 200 million miles away from doing that. We have to take steps, risks and have a lot of luck. With all those combined I think we can do well.”
With Vivek Ranadive holding a majority stake in the team as well as 24 Hour Fitness founder Mark Mastrov, who is friends with O’Neal, the former LA Lakers centre added: “The new owners have new energy and new hope. We will build the world’s greatest basketball arena.” THE PENINSULA/DP
