Akers, Mutombo receive Iba Awards

As one of the biggest stars of the National Basketball Association, Dikembe Mutombo makes his living intimidating his opponents. Seldom seen is the tireless work the Atlanta Hawks center does for the

Monday, June 19th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

As one of the biggest stars of the National Basketball Association, Dikembe Mutombo makes his living intimidating his opponents. Seldom seen is the tireless work the Atlanta Hawks center does for the people of his homeland, until now.

Mutombo and U.S. womenâ€™s soccer star Michelle Akers are Monday nightâ€™s honorees at the 2000 Henry P. Iba Citizen Athlete Awards at Tulsaâ€™s Downtown Doubletree hotel.

ESPN sports anchor Rece Davis hosts the event that features a keynote speech from National Football League commisioner Paul Tagliabue.

Mutombo is being chided for his $3,000,000 donation to start construction of a hospital in his native country, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Akers, star of the 1999 Womenâ€™s World Cup soccer champions, works with youth to develop leadership potential. She also suffers from several chronic diseases, making her accomplishments on the field even more impressive to fans.

1999 Iba winner Andrea Jaeger will be on hand to present Akers, while â€™97 male winner John Starks will introduce Mutombo. The annual event is sponsored by the Tulsa Rotary Club.