Rodman marks Kim Jong Un's birthday with basketball match

Former NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman (L) fights for the ball during an international exhibition basketball match between the US and North Korea in Pyongyang, in this photo released by Kyodo January 8, 2014.[Photo/Agencies]

PYONGYANG - Former US basketball star Dennis Rodman celebrated the birthday of Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), here Wednesday by taking part in a friendship basketball game with fellow players, witnesses said.

Before the match, Rodman said, despite some people doubting the purpose of his visit, he simply came to celebrate his good friend's birthday. He also said he did feel the love and enthusiasm the DPRK people have for their leader.

He then sang "happy birthday to you" in front of Kim, creating a buzz among the audience.

Rodman arrived here on Monday for his fourth trip within a year, along with a team of retired NBA basketball players and streetballers, for the exhibition game to mark Kim's birthday, believed to be his 31st.

The first half ended in a 39-47, with former NBA stars in blue against DPR Korean players in red. Rodman himself also played in the first quarter. He then changed clothes and joined Kim on the stadium platform, chatting and smoking together while enjoying the game.

The second half were played between mixed white team and green team. With exchanging five American and DPR Korean players in each team, it ended in 63-54. The Sports Minister Kang Chong Mu and Rodman respectively presented trophy and souvenir medal to the players.

Pyongyang citizens and sportsmen, as well as foreign diplomats and representatives from international organizations were invited to watch the game. Foreign journalists were not invited to cover the US delegation's trip.

Until now, local media have not given coverage of Rodman's fourth visit, and have shown no special program nor articles celebrating Kim's birthday, which has not set as a national holiday yet.

Rodman has met Kim for third time within one year. He described Kim as "an awesome guy" on his first trip to the country in February last year, and referred to Kim as his "friend for life" in September. But he failed to meet Kim last December on his third trip to help train the country's national basketball team for this time's exhibition game.

"Whatever he (Kim) does political-wise, that's not my job. I'm just an athlete, an individual who wants to go over there and play something for the world," Rodman said at Beijing's capital airport on Monday.

"Mr. Rodman is not there representing the United States," the US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said at a press briefing on Tuesday.

The NBA basketball league also distanced itself from Rodman. "The NBA is not involved with Mr. Rodman's trip and would not participate or support such a venture without the approval of the US State Department," NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a statement.