The Hindu : Sport / Basketball : `Zidane was wronged'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 17, 2006

Sport

Sport - Basketball

`Zidane was wronged'

Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI: Nine-time NBA All-Star Kevin Garnett has said Frenchman Zinedine Zidane's head-butting episode in the final of the FIFA World Cup in Berlin was an unfortunate incident.

"Zidane was provoked with verbal attack on his family. And let me tell you family is everything. Family comes first," said Garnett. The American star was in the capital on a three-day India tour for the launch of his signature basketball shoes by adidas.

He said though verbal abuse was part of basketball, what happened with Zidane was incomprehensible under such high-pressure situations.

Garnett, on his maiden visit to India, said that though he had very little idea about Indian sport in general and basketball in particular, he hoped his visit would help create awareness about basketball.

"There is no reason for India not to progress in basketball. What needed is concerted approach and more awareness about the sport to attract audience. He said more visits by big players in India would help generating interest in basketball.

Garnett, who leaves for Agra on Monday, said he was very excited about visiting the Taj Mahal.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport