Hospital staff, patients meet Muhammad Ali

JAKARTA (JP): On his third visit to Indonesia, Muhammad Ali still charms young and old.

"The Greatest", a former self-claimed title which he refuted on Monday, was greeted by patients, nurses and doctors during his visit to the Harapan Kita Hospital, West Jakarta, yesterday.

The former heavy-weight boxing champion, whose Indonesian visit is sponsored by Vitapro, symbolically handed over 100,000 meal packages to the hospital's director Koesno Martoatmodjo.

The 54-year-old Ali, who had to walk slowly due to Parkinson's disease, visited children with harelips, and patients in the post-surgery rehabilitation room.

Ali, who has given donations to 19 other countries, looked very happy greeting the children, including those in the maternity pavilion, with his shaking hands (see picture).

Koesno said that Ali's visit was a great honor for the hospital.

"It's an honor that Ali chose to give the food to Harapan Kita instead of other hospitals," he said.

Ali spoke only a few words during a coffee break, when he asked for sweet coffee. He also tried local snacks, a lemper and kroket.

"I told his manager that all food preparation procedures were sterile and the food was halal (permitted by Islam)," Koesno said.

Patients and hospital staff, from janitors to doctors, crowded the hospital halls to ask Ali to show his "Sting" boxing style.

Ali looked spirited and challenged a janitor to a simulation fight, to the yells of "Ali.. Ali.." from the crowd.

Ali, earlier named Cassius Clay, is scheduled to meet the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas, and chairman of the Indonesia Professional Boxing Association Hendropriyono today. He will leave the country tomorrow. (yan)