体坛英语新闻：Cuba-U.S. thaw opens door to basketball

HAVANA, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The efforts of Cuba and U.S. to restore diplomatic ties and normalize once-hostile relations have given way to cooperation in the field of sports.

On the heels of Democratic congressmen, Google executives and the governor of New York state -- all of whom recently beat a path to Cuba's door to explore trade and business opportunities -- comes the National Basketball Association (NBA).

On Thursday the NBA opened a basketball camp in Cuba, where baseball has long reigned supreme, "aimed at boosting the game's popularity on the communist-run island," according to an article posted on the association's website.

The first day of the four-day camp, Dikembe Mutombo, NBA global ambassador and recent Hall of Fame inductee, showed off his skills on the court as Cuban players watched.

The association acknowledged that basketball trails in fourth place in Cuba, after baseball, boxing and soccer, but hopes veterans like Mutombo and Steve Nash can help change that, and increase both the number of fans and the pool of talent.

The basketball envoys will be giving workshops and conferences for kids, youth, and athletes on Cuba's national teams, as well as their coaches.

"As you know, basketball is a sport that can connect people, give them a bridge for cultural change," the article cited Mutombo as saying. "I'm glad that we're about to build this bridge."

Nash, a former MVP and eight-time "All Star" player, said Cuba has a great training program, but needed help to grow the sport.

Alberto Garcia, regional director of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in the Americas, which sponsored the event, said two Cuban players will be invited to take part in another training camp in August and September in the Dominican Republic.

The sports cooperation comes as part of a project called "Basketball Without Borders," which the NBA and FIBA operate around the globe, to develop and scout for talent.

Following the NBA camp, U.S. basketball team Cosmos is scheduled to play a friendly against Cuba's national team on June 2 at Havana's 30,000-seat Pedro Marrero Stadium.