Published on Dec 20, 2013
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Former NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman speaks to North Korean basketball players during a practice session in Pyongyang, North Korea on Friday, Dec 20, 2013. Mr Rodman held try-outs on Friday, Dec 20, 2013, for a North Korean team to face a dozen National Basketball Association veterans in an exhibition game on leader Kim Jong Un's birthday next month - though he has not convinced all the players on the American team that it is safe to come to Pyongyang. -- PHOTO: AP
PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) - Former star Dennis Rodman held try-outs on Friday for a North Korean team to face a dozen National Basketball Association veterans in an exhibition game on leader Kim Jong Un's birthday next month - though he has not convinced all the players on the American team that it is safe to come to Pyongyang.
The flamboyant Hall of Famer said plans for the Jan 8 game are moving ahead but some of the 12 Americans he wants are afraid to come.
Some foreign analysts say the dramatic purge and execution of Mr Kim's once-powerful uncle less than a week ago has cast doubt on the 30-year-old's future. But officials here say there is no instability and he remains firmly in control.
"You know, they're still afraid to come here, but I'm just telling them, you know, don't be afraid man, it's all love, it's all love here," Rodman told The Associated Press after the try-outs at the Pyongyang Indoor Gymnasium. "I understand what's going on with the political stuff, and I say, I don't go into that venture, I'm just doing one thing for these kids here, and for this country, and for my country, and for the world pretty much."
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5:22 PM
Purchase this article for republicationBuy SPH photos
Former NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman speaks to North Korean basketball players during a practice session in Pyongyang, North Korea on Friday, Dec 20, 2013. Mr Rodman held try-outs on Friday, Dec 20, 2013, for a North Korean team to face a dozen National Basketball Association veterans in an exhibition game on leader Kim Jong Un's birthday next month - though he has not convinced all the players on the American team that it is safe to come to Pyongyang. -- PHOTO: AP
PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) - Former star Dennis Rodman held try-outs on Friday for a North Korean team to face a dozen National Basketball Association veterans in an exhibition game on leader Kim Jong Un's birthday next month - though he has not convinced all the players on the American team that it is safe to come to Pyongyang.
The flamboyant Hall of Famer said plans for the Jan 8 game are moving ahead but some of the 12 Americans he wants are afraid to come.
Some foreign analysts say the dramatic purge and execution of Mr Kim's once-powerful uncle less than a week ago has cast doubt on the 30-year-old's future. But officials here say there is no instability and he remains firmly in control.
"You know, they're still afraid to come here, but I'm just telling them, you know, don't be afraid man, it's all love, it's all love here," Rodman told The Associated Press after the try-outs at the Pyongyang Indoor Gymnasium. "I understand what's going on with the political stuff, and I say, I don't go into that venture, I'm just doing one thing for these kids here, and for this country, and for my country, and for the world pretty much."
[h=5]TO READ THE FULL STORY...[/h]Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.
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