Magic Johnson tour hits snag

Sun, 08 Oct 1995, 00:00 WIB | Source: REUTERS

MANILA (Reuter): Earvin "Magic" Johnson's plans to play
basketball in the Philippines hit a snag after immigration
authorities said he must secure a permit before being allowed
into Manila, officials said yesterday.

Johnson, idolized by tens of thousands of fans of the most
popular sport in the Philippines, was due to visit Manila for an
exhibition series pitting his team against former teammate Kareem
Abdul Jabbar.

But immigration officials said Johnson must secure a permit
because the former Los Angeles Lakers star has a "contagious
disease", referring to Johnson's infection by HIV, the virus
which causes AIDS.

Taiwan had earlier barred Johnson, who led the Los Angeles
Lakers to five National Basketball Association titles in the
1980s, because he has HIV.

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