On Monday, sad news hit the world: NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo died at the age of 58 due to cancer.
This not only affects the basketball world, but also Bayern’s head coach Vincent Kompany (38). Especially because of his roots!
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On the X platform (formerly Twitter), the former Premier League star gets emotional and writes: “A legend died today. Dikembe Mutombo was a legend of the game in the NBA and a legend of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He inspired and gave hope to a generation of young Congolese around the world. We grew up watching NBA games thanks to him. We are proud of our heritage, thanks to him.”
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Why does Kompany talk about “we”?
His dad Pierre was born in Congo and came to Belgium from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1975. He studied mechanical engineering and supported himself as a taxi driver, married the Belgian Jocelyne and had three children. The couple later divorced; Vincent Kompany’s mother Jocelyne died 18 years ago.
Father Pierre went into politics – and made history: in 2018 he was elected Belgium’s first dark-skinned mayor in the Brussels municipality of Ganshoren.
Pierre was already politically active in his homeland: he was in the Congo in the resistance against the Mobutu dictatorship. He came into conflict with the regime and was imprisoned in a military camp for 13 months until he fled to Belgium.
Vincent Kompany mit Vater Pierre (l.)
Foto: picture alliance / dpa
Kompany continued in his statement on the death of NBA star Mutombo: “He showed us that we can have big dreams and be successful. He showed us that we value our roots. Not just in words, but also in actions. The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation does tremendous humanitarian work in the Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on improving health and quality of life. We will miss him. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones. Rest in peace.”
Mutombo was one of the best defenders in NBA history and won the Defensive Player of the Year award four times. Between 1991 and 2009 he played 18 seasons in the US league for the Denver Nuggets, the Atlanta Hawks and the Philadelphia 76ers, among others. In 2015, Mutombo was even inducted into the professional league’s Hall of Fame.
NBA legend Mutombo is dead, Jordan rival dies at 58!
Quelle: AP / Instagram @dofficialmutombo09/30/2024
