At a banquet Monday night before the MPC Computers Bowl between the Eagles and Boise State, Mike Adkins read a list of the top 10 things Boise and Boston have in common, including, ''No one in either city can properly pronounce Mathias Kiwanuka.'' Adkins mispronounced Kiwanuka's name in the punchline and some Boston College players said later they found the joke insulting and disrespectful.

Kiwanuka is the grandson of Uganda's first prime minister, assassinated by mass-murdering dictator Idi Amin. Adkins apologized to Kiwanuka in a statement Thursday.

''The MPC Computers Bowl, whose roots are based on a humanitarian model of service, would never attempt to discredit, humiliate or offend anyone,'' said Gary Beck, the bowl's executive director. ''We again apologize to Mr. Kiwanuka for any discomfort or embarrassment the speech at the event caused him or his family. It was certainly unintentional and without any malice.''

Beck said the game, which began its nine-year history as the Humanitarian Bowl, would develop policies and procedures for guest speakers at future events to ensure an impartial atmosphere.

# posted by Squach : 3:47 PM   |