MOTIBHAI Group and Fiji Times Ltd chairman Kirit Patel is deeply saddened with the untimely passing away of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, and his daughter Gianna Maria Onore.
Bryant, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, were among nine people who died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Sunday.
“It is with great grief that I note the passing away of such a legendary man whom I had the pleasure of meeting in 2010 on the sidelines of the 19th FIFA World Cup in South Africa,” Patel said.
“His security arrangement was pretty tight and a lot of people who were wanting to meet up with the legend were refused by the bodyguards.
“After learning that I had come all the way from Fiji, Kobe agreed to meet me personally and allowed me to take pictures.
“It was a very pleasant moment for me and I have vivid memories of our meeting. He was such a fine man and a true gentleman.
“The world has lost a great man.”
