SLAM DUNK: Eugene Edgerson meets the Harrow Ravens (Picture by Dermot Carlin)
Harlem Globetrotter Eugene 'Wildcat' Anderson took time out of his touring schedule to meet members of a Islamic women's basketball team.
Set up in 2001 the Harrow Ravens, are a rarity as one of only two Islamic women's basketball teams in London.
Supported by Harrow Council, the team are competing in the Islamic Women's games being held in Iran next year.
But it was back to basketball court basics outside Wembley Stadium as Anderson demonstrated some of the moves that delight millions of fans.
Ayesha Abdeen - slightly in Wildcat's shade (6ft 6) with a height of 5'2ins - and seven teammates watched the Harlem Globetrotter's demonstration with admiration.
Ayesha, 24 said: "It was a fun day, Eugene is a really nice guy and we learnt some new moves from one of the world's best."
advertisement
Harrow Council is looking to support the Harrow Ravens by providing special 'zoned-off' training areas in council leisure centres.
That will allow the Muslim team members to train in accordance with their religious principles in a female-only environment.
Eugene Edgerson said: "The MWSF Ravens are an inspirational group of young women. They highlight how sport crosses all cultural divides and brings people together."
The 30-year-old, from New Orleans, added: "I really admire the team and am sure in 2009 they will bring back gold from Iran."
Councillor Anjana Patel, Harrow Council's portfolio holder for community and cultural services said: "Harrow Council encourages and supports different communities to participate in sports and leisure activities.
"This ladies basketball team is a great example of how we support sport throughout the community - it is one of the more unusual teams we have but it shows the diversity within Harrow."
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
Print
Email this
Comment
