Hakeem `the dream' to film commercial here

JAKARTA (JP): Local basketball fans will get the rare treat of seeing last season's NBA most valuable player Hakeem "the Dream" Olajuwon up close when he visits Jakarta later this week.

Olajuwon, of the league champion Houston Rockets, will meet State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sport Hayono Isman during his Sept. 7-12 visit, said Jannus Hutapea of Coca Cola Indonesia which is sponsoring the superstar's trip here.

The 6-10 (2.08 meter) Olajuwon will also pay a courtesy call on Harmoko in the latter's capacity as chief of the Indonesian Basketball Association (Perbasi), Jannus added.

"After filming the commercial advertisement for Coca Cola, Olajuwon is scheduled to lead an informal basketball clinic for children," the company spokesman said.

The Nigerian-born Olajuwon, who joined the Rockets in 1983 following an outstanding college career at the University of Houston, averaged 25.2 points per game last season.

Not simply an offensive threat, last year Olajuwon was voted the NBA's top defensive player.

Over the past few years he has become increasingly devoted to Islam, and attributes much of his success to his solid religious belief.

During his stay here the 31-year-old Olajuwon will perform Friday prayers at the Istiqlal mosque together with local devotees.

Olajuwon will also present Hayono with one of his number 34 Rockets' jerseys during their meeting. (rsl/brd)