Story by visiting editor Nigel Pfunde
Harare- FORMER National Basketball Association coach of seven years McLean touched down at Robert Mugabe International Airport Tuesday evening and is expected to meet President Emmerson Mnangagwa with view of submitting his concepts on how to promote sports tourism.
Sports tourism has become a significant sector of the tourism industry, which is a key pillar in its contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Sports Tourism attracts international visitors generating forex income and boos local currency (ZiG).
“Sports tourism creates employment opportunities in various sectors such as hospitality,transportation and event management.
“It can also promote our image in regards infrastructure development, remember the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex was built when we hosted the All Africa games thus also promoting Zimbabwe culture,” said a South Africa based Zimbabwean sports consultant.
Mcleen was part of a delegation of investors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) who jetted in Tuesday night to explore various investment opportunities including revamping the railway system,mining, low cost housing,energy and agriculture.
“Im so excited to be here and having an opportunity to meet the President .
“I also have an academy and willing to scout talent in Zimbabwe,” said the NBA star.
The delegation’s visit is a sequel to President Mnangagwa’s recent trip to the UAE, where he met with some investors ro dissect potential investments in the country in sync with the Zimbabwe is Open For business mantra.
The visit was on the instigation of Prevail Group chairman Tempter Tungwarara who has strong links in UAE and the local delegation also included Zanu PF businessman and House of Assembly member Honourable Farai Jere.
Meanwhile, according tp NBA worldnews, McLean was born on October 20, 1985, in New York, the United States.
He was passionate about music, and when he went to the Bay Shore High School, he stepped into music. He played drums, piano, and bass. Moreover, he became a concert bassist. All his classmates, friends, and family members were sure that this young musician would pursue a career in music, but little did they know.
When the time came, McLean was talented and lucky enough to receive scholarship offers from well-reputed music institutes, including Cal-Berkley and Hofstra. Moreover, his music skills opened doors to one of the biggest opportunities there is for a music enthusiast, and that is to study at Julliard. He received interest from Julliard. However, Alex was up to something else, and he declined all offers to study in the top music schools. Instead, he chose to study at Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia, for Bachelor’s in Science in Sport Management. After completing his bachelor’s, he enrolled in the master’s program in Sport Management.
While he was completing his bachelor’s, he joined the Liberty Flames Men’s Basketball Team. It was the start of his basketball career, which led him towards success. While he was playing in eh Liberty Flames, he was named to the first team, adding to his first-team honors on the Big South all-conference squad in the year 2008. However, this was not it. During his time in the Liberty Flames basketball team, he scored 15 double-doubles in a match and acquired the second rank in the Big South all-conference squad in the same year. In addition to this, McLean stood on the acquired the seventh rank with 15.8 ppg and with a rebounding score of 8.8 RPG, he was ranked third. The talented and young basketball player was acknowledged for his performance and was ranked the second rank in field goal percentage with 56.0 percent. McLean still hold the schools single game record for his 40 point 19 rebound performance back 2007. He was one of three players in the league to be ranked in the Top 3 in terms of scoring as well as rebounding.
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