Legendary National Basketball Association (NBA) player, Robert Horry – a seven-timeNBA Champion –experienced a ‘magnificent seven’ of a different variety during a recent trip to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

The star draw of basketball week at SportFest, a series of weekly indoor sports clinics held at Yas Island’s du Forum duringSummerFest Abu Dhabi, the emirate’s season destination extravaganza, Horry mixed business with pleasureandstopped in atseveral of Abu Dhabi’s major cultural and leisure tourism attractions.

Horry’s whistle-stop trip included guided tours of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the most important architectural treasures of contemporary UAE society, and the opulent Emirates Palace; a culture-rich voyage intothe traditionalpearl diving industry on the Abu Dhabi Pearl Journey; a sumptuousiftar(theevening meal where Muslims end daily fasts during the Holy Month of Ramadan) at the five-star Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in the capital’s historic Khor Al Maqta area; a high-octane splash at YasWaterworld, a mega aqua park on Abu Dhabi’s leisure entertainment district of Yas Island; a ‘dune bashing’ desert safari in a 4x4before visiting a Bedouin camel farm; and a luxurious spa treatment at ESPA at the five-star Yas Viceroy – the world’s only hotel straddling a Formula 1 track.

After sampling multiple high-energy activities on his Abu Dhabi itinerary, the toweringHorry did not hesitate when quizzed about which aspect of the trip would live longest in the memory.

“The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque tour, no doubt. The mosqueis one of the most amazing pieces of architecture I’ve ever set my eyes on; it’s a remarkable homage to the country’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed. I found the whole experience very educational and extremely humbling,” said Horry, who was shown around the mosque by the mosque’s Emirati tour guide, Faisal Al Ebri.

“It was great walking around the Royal Suite at the Emirates Palace – it’s about twice as big as a basketball court - and finding out about Abu Dhabi’s pearl diving heritage on the Pearl Journey trip was another highlight. I also loved the desert safari and water-park, but nothing beats the mosque – it was incredible.

“I still remember all the information from the tour; I’ll never forget that the mosque has the world’s largest handmade carpet and three 12-tonne chandeliers with close to 40 million Swarovski crystals, how the courtyard alone can hold up to 23,000 worshippers, or that the four main minarets are 107-metres high. I even got to practice Arabic with my guide, Faisal - it was an amazing experience,” added Horry, who was the 11th overall pick in Round 1 of the NBA Draft in 1992, only months after he graduated from the University of Alabama.

Only six men in the history of professional basketball have won more NBA Championship rings than Horry – and all of them played for the all-conquering Boston Celtics team who won 11 of 13 titles between 1957 and 1969.
Horry’s seven Championship rings were notched up at three different teams (Houston Rockets–1994 and 1995; Los Angeles Lakers - 2000, 2001 and 2002; and San Antonio Spurs – 2005 and 2007), while numerous memorablePlayoff‘clutch’ shots – dramatic baskets sunk at pivotal moments in the final quarter of make-or-break games – earned him the nickname ‘Big Shot Rob.’

“I’m extremely proud of everything I achieved in my career,” added Horry. “Thankfully, I get to travel all over the world now as an ambassador for the NBA and it’s been special seeing Abu Dhabi for the first time. I’m taking some great souvenirs home to Houston, including an original Arabian Gulf pearl. I had to crack open five oysters to get it, so I’ll make sure my mom knows finding it was a labour of love when I give it to her. My mom can keep the pearl, I’m happy with the memories.”

To find out more about SummerFest Abu Dhabi, which runs until August 17, visit: www.summerfestabudhabi.ae
 

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