By Charles Vanegas
Eight-time NBA all-star Dikembe Mutombo was on Ryerson campus Thursday as part of a Special Olympics event, which featured several GTA students with disabilities, hosted at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.
“It’s one of the most wonderful organizations, that is very dedicated to all the wonderful young children in Canada, giving them the opportunity to have a wonderful life,” said Mutombo.
The 7’2” Mutombo has been a global ambassador for the organization since 2012, and is known as one of sports’ great philanthropists.
In 2007, his Mutombo Foundation opened a $29 million, 300-bed hospital in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo — with $18.5 million of those funds coming from Mutombo himself.
“It means a lot. Giving back is a family tradition to me. It was passed on to me by my mom and dad,” said Mutumbo. “I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to touch so many people’s lives.”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_0fyUYB3cA[/youtube]
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