Magic Johnson tour hits snag

Sun, 08 Oct 1995 | 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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