Squad visits Muhammad Ali Centre – Spurs Women USA Tour
Sat 20 August 2022, 18:59|
Tottenham Hotspur
On Thursday afternoon (19 August), Spurs Women paid a visit to the Muhammad Ali Centre as part of their pre-season tour to the USA.
The centre in Louisville, Kentucky, commemorates the life of one of the city’s greatest sons, the late boxer Muhammad Ali, telling his inspirational story and educating visitors.
Named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Century in 1999, Ali is regarded as one of the most significant sports figures that the world has seen, but his legacy goes far beyond what he achieved in the ring.
While he was a three-time heavyweight champion of the world, his actions away from boxing are also testament to why Ali, who passed away at the age of 74 in June, 2016, is nicknamed ‘The Greatest’. From his civil rights work in the 1960s to his global humanitarian work in life after his sporting career - in which he was named the United Nations’ Messenger of Peace - the great Ali used his platform as an international sports star to improve the world around him and inspire others to do the same.
And that was the message the players took in as they toured the exhibits of the centre in Louisville. Taking in the museum which is designed around Ali’s six core principles of confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, respect and spirituality, the squad learnt of the former boxer’s life and deeds before training like the sporting icon, shadow boxing and using a speed bag.
Some of the players then shared life-changing moments they have experienced as part of the centre’s ‘red bike moment’, an exhibit in reference to Ali’s life-changing moment at the age of 12 – the theft of his red bike which led him to meeting police sergeant and boxer trainer Joe Martin.
