Hospital staff, patients meet Muhammad Ali

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)