Kobe Bryant to pick fans from the audience to participate in half-time show and US and Spanish Ambassadors to tip-off the DMCC Kobe Bryant weekend celebrity game

Soulja Boy to perform his famous “Crank That” dance at half time as entertainment for the celebrity game is announced.

The excitement surrounding the biggest-ever basketball event produced in the region just increased exponentially as organizers announced that Kobe Bryant willspearhead activities during the half-time show of the celebrity game. The basketball superstar will select people from the audience to participate in fun-filled activities.Those adjudged the best will be rewarded with basketballs, which the living legend will autograph on the spot.

Among the audience will be Ambassador Michael H. Corbin, the US Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and Ambassador Jose Eugenio Salarich, Spanish Ambassador to the UAE. Ambassador Corbin was sworn in by President Barack Obama in May 2011 while Ambassador Salarich has served in his current position since last year. And to show their support for their fellow countrymen, Ambassador Corbin will do the tip-off for the first half and Ambassador Salarich for the second half.

“We are delighted that Ambassadors Corbin and Salarich have agreed to do the tip-offs for the celebrity basketball game,” said Sarah Omolewu, managing partner, Maven Marketing & Events. “This is in keeping with the historic significance of the game, which marks Kobe Bryant's first trip to the Middle East and the first celebrity basketball game played in the region.”

Rachel Omolewu, three time National Physique Committee Champion, nutritionist, and health and fitness expert is the assistant coach of Team Black Mamba.  She will be leading the team stretch to get the celebrity team prepared to take on the Real Madrid basketball legends.

And that's not the only entertainment in store for fans of Kobe Bryant and the celebrity players who have been flocking to purchase tickets for the first celebrity basketball game being held in the region. R&B sensation Soulja boy will also take centre court to dance to his hit single ‘Crank That', which was a chart topper for many weeks on the US Billboard when it was released. And Soulja Boy's going to choose members of the audience to dance with him and his celebrity game teammates so make sure you come in your dancing shoes!

Another treat which awaits the audience of the game is Emirati rapper Ghost singing live the official song for the Kobe Bryant Health & Fitness Weekend. Emirati rapping sensation Ghost has a huge fan following in the region and is famed by his lyrical genius.

Men's Fitness reckons Kobe Bryant trains harder and longer than many of his peers. That fitness is apparent on the court, where the superstar who is also known as Black Mamba, shows his mastery of basketball, one of the fastest sports in the world. Kobe Bryant will put his basketball skills to good use coaching a team of celebrities, aptly named Team Black Mamba, which includes: R&B artists Marques Houston and Soulja Boy; former NFL player Kelly Herndon; Virgin Radio Dubai popular personalities Kris Fade and Brent Black; Mohamed Al Mubarak, deputy CEO of Aldar Properties; TV presenter and DJ Marwan Parham, aka DJ Bliss; Mohammed Abdrabboh of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC); and Nathalie Junebie aka Chikay.

Taking on the celebrities coached by Kobe Bryant and assistant coach Rachel Omolewu, are the Real Madrid basketball legends. The Spanish line up includes two former USA professional basketball players Joseph Arlauckas, and ZanTabak. Joining Arlauckas and Tabak are Antonio Llorente; Dario Quesada; Iturriaga Lopez; Jose Manuel Beiran; Jose Luis Diaz; Jose Luis Llorente; Jose Miguel Antunez; and LucioAngulo. The team is coached by former Olympic Games basketball player, Juan Antonio Corbalan; and assistant coached by, Rafael Rullan who is president of the Real Madrid basketball legends. More details of the game are available on www.kobefitnessuae.com.

The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is the presenting partner for the Kobe Bryant Health & Fitness Weekend. DMCC has a mandate from the government of Dubai to provide the physical, market and financial infrastructure to set up a commodities market place in Dubai. It is the licensing authority for JLT, one of the largest mixed-use, free-zone developments in Dubai. DMCC recently announced plans to build the world's tallest commercial tower as part of an expansion plan to attract more multinationals.

Also partnering with Maven Marketing& Events on the weekend is GEMS Education, the international K-12 education company, which owns and operates high-performing schools across the globe. On September 26 GEMS will host a basketball skills clinic, coached by Kobe Bryant himself, at the Gems American Academy in Abu Dhabi. DMCC is currently running a competition on the radio for spots for the clinic for 10 lucky youth.

Nike, who is a global sponsor of Kobe's, will also be supporting the basketball superstar's first appearance in the Middle East. The Kobe Bryant Health & Fitness Weekend is also supported by: the Dubai Diabetes Association; Boston Diabetes Centre; Expo 2020; General Authority of Youth and Sport Welfare; Sport is a lifestyle; Dubai Calendar; Dubai Sports Council; Almoe AV Productions/Rentals; and Duplays. Virgin Radio Dubai and Gulf News are the official media partners for the event, and Kempinski is the hotel partner.

About Maven Marketing& Events www.mavenmarketingandevents.com