Latest news with #NBAAfrica
Zawya
28-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
National Basketball Association (NBA) Africa and Opportunity International Unveil New Basketball Court in Nairobi, Kenya
NBA Africa ( and Opportunity International, a global nonprofit organization that develops innovative programs that use financial services, training and support to address some of the greatest challenges facing those living in poverty around the world, unveiled a new outdoor basketball court at Loiswell Academy in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday, May 27. The unveiling follows the launch of a new court at Highland School in Nyamata, Rwanda, last week and supports NBA Africa's commitment to build 1,000 courts on the continent over the next decade. The court was unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony by NBA Kenya Country Operations Lead Michael Finley, Opportunity International Board of Directors Member Ken Wathome, Opportunity International Executive Vice President, International Programs and Capital Solutions Randy Kurtz, Loiswell Academy Founder and Director Lois Mbugua and former NBA player Hasheem Thabeet, which was followed by a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA clinic for 100 boys and girls ages 16 and under. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA). Please find images from the ribbon cutting ceremony and Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA clinic here (
Forbes
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
NBA Africa Breaks Ground On 1,000-Court Mission In Rwanda
NBA Africa and Opportunity International unveil new basketball court at Highland School in Nyamata, ... More Rwanda Africa is home to the youngest population on Earth; more than 70% of its people are under 30. But while youth drive the continent's demographic growth, access to safe spaces for learning, play, and mentorship remains limited. In response to this pressing need, NBA Africa has launched a bold initiative: to build 1,000 basketball courts across the continent over the next decade. Of that ambitious total, 10%, or 100 courts, will be developed in partnership with Opportunity International, a global organisation focused on unlocking economic potential in underserved communities. Together, the NBA and Opportunity International aim to create not just basketball courts, but high-impact hubs of youth development across Africa's fastest-growing markets. The initiative's rollout began in Nyamata, Rwanda, where the newly built court at Highland School is already buzzing with energy. The site hosted a Jr. NBA clinic for 100 children, held during the BAL's Nile Conference, currently taking place in Kigali. For many of these children, it marked their first structured introduction to the game and to a vision of what's possible. Among all the potential sports for driving development, why should basketball become a priority? According to Randy Kurtz, Executive Vice President of International Programs and Capital Solutions at Opportunity International, the answer is both strategic and personal. 'As I've learned, basketball is the largest and fastest-growing sport in Africa,' Kurtz stated following the unveiling of the first court in Nyamata, Rwanda. 'So it's the perfect partner.' Basketball offers more than just popularity; it is a sport characterised by its accessibility. With just a ball, a hoop, and a court, it can be played in both urban and rural settings. Its high global visibility and relatively low barriers to entry make it an ideal platform for skill-building, aspiration, and mobility. KIGALI, RWANDA - MAY 22: President Amadou Gallo Fall of the Basketball Africa League walks on the ... More court following a game between the Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club and the Gendarmerie Nationale Basketball Club at Kigali Arena on May 22, 2021 in Kigali, Rwanda. (Photo by Nicole Sweet/BAL/Basketball Africa League via Getty Images) For Amadou Gallo Fall, President of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), the moment signals the league's mission: growing the game from the grassroots up. 'Making the game of basketball accessible to young boys and girls… remains a critical pillar of our efforts,' Fall said. 'It all starts with infrastructures like this.' Though the BAL Finals have been hosted in Kigali since the league's inception, Fall is clear, the league's impact must go beyond elite competition. 'We want to continue to now, beyond just bringing the BAL, [ask] how do we make sure that young people who want to play the game have safe places to play and learn?' The collaboration between Opportunity International and NBA Africa is about far more than pouring concrete. It's a blueprint for inclusive, scalable access, built on local partnerships and sustainable programming. 'This comes out of personal relationships,' said Kurtz, referencing how longtime NBA supporter Sam Garvin helped connect the organisation to league leadership. 'But with the NBA's support, we now have a clear path to reach 500,000 youth over five years.' Structured programming, anchored by the Jr. NBA curriculum, introduces students to the fundamentals of basketball, teamwork, and life skills. It's not just about building courts; it's about building character, confidence, and community. 'We use the curriculum that the Jr NBA has and combine it with the good work being done at schools. That's how we scale,' Kurtz explained. The rollout will continue across 10 African countries where Opportunity International already operates, starting with Rwanda and Kenya, with room to grow based on need and demand. 'There's no limit,' Kurtz added. 'We could go to countries where we are not.' But infrastructure alone isn't enough. Central to the effort is the development of local coaching talent, the people who will guide young players not only in sport, but in life. 'As important as the physical infrastructure is,' Fall emphasised, 'it is equally important to make sure we have experts who can teach the game.' These coaches become local leaders and role models, instilling discipline, teamwork, and ambition. By investing in their training and progression, the program ensures the impact goes far beyond the court. 'We want to build capacity among young coaches and allow them to advance,' Fall said. 'This Jr. NBA clinic is just the beginning.' Africa's demographic trajectory underscores the urgency. As cities expand and economies shift, the need for physical and social infrastructure becomes even more critical. In this environment, sport has emerged as one of the most effective tools to bridge education, economic mobility, and youth empowerment. Basketball, in particular, is uniquely positioned to meet the moment. With low costs, high visibility, and proven developmental impact, it is becoming a new language of opportunity for Africa's next generation.
Zawya
05-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Basketball Africa League and City of Dakar Unveil Renovated Basketball Court in Yoff, Senegal
BAL ( and Speak Up Africa Hold Basketball Clinic and Malaria Prevention Workshop for 50 Boys and Girls at Newly-Refurbished Court; New Court Supports NBA Africa's Commitment to Build 1,000 Basketball Courts on the Continent Over the Next Decade. The Basketball Africa League (BAL) and the City of Dakar today unveiled a newly-renovated basketball court in Yoff, Senegal. The court, which will provide a safe space for the local community of more than 5,000 to learn and play the game, is part of the BAL's commitment to leave a lasting legacy in the communities where it operates and supports NBA Africa's commitment to build 1,000 courts on the continent over the next decade. The court was unveiled at an opening ceremony by the Secretary General of the City of Dakar, Mouhamed Diop; Mayor of Yoff Community, Seydina Issa Laye Samb; NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi; and BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall. Following the ceremony, the BAL, in collaboration with Speak Up Africa – an African-led, Senegal-based organization working with leaders and changemakers in Africa and beyond to solve Africa's pressing sustainable development challenges – held a basketball clinic and malaria prevention workshop for 50 boys and girls ages 16 and under in recognition of World Malaria Day that took place on April 25. The workshop was designed to equip the participants with tools and resources to help them drive awareness of malaria prevention and testing in their communities. 'Today's court unveiling, basketball clinic and malaria prevention workshop reflect our commitment to giving back to the communities where we operate,' said Fall. 'We look forward to continuing to inspire, empower and elevate youth in Senegal and across Africa through the game of basketball.' The Secretary General of the City of Dakar expressed a similar sentiment, emphasizing the significance of the collaboration. He stated, 'The City of Dakar is proud to team up with the BAL for the realization of this project that brings hope and opportunities for our youth. The inauguration of this court in Yoff symbolizes our ongoing commitment to sports and community development. This collaboration demonstrates our desire to create inclusive spaces where sport becomes a vector of education, social cohesion and fulfilment for all Dakar residents.' The court unveiling took place in conjunction with the 2025 BAL Sahara Conference group phase that concludes today at the Dakar Arena. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Basketball Africa League (BAL). Karinne Jouanelle, City of Dakar, +221 77 649 51 25, karinejoua@ Social Media: Facebook: Instagram: Threads: X: YouTube: About the BAL: The Basketball Africa League (BAL), a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and NBA Africa, is a professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa that tipped off its fifth season in April 2025. Headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, the BAL builds on the foundation of club competitions FIBA Africa has organized across the continent and marks the NBA's first collaboration to operate a league outside North America. Fans can follow the BAL (@ theBAL) on Facebook ( Instagram ( Threads ( X ( and YouTube ( and register their interest in receiving more information at
Zawya
18-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
NBA Africa and Safaricom's M-Pesa Launch League's Most Expansive Youth Development Program in East Africa to Date
NBA Africa and Safaricom (NSE: SCOM- the region's leading technology company, on Saturday launched the M-PESA Jr. NBA program that will provide basketball development and financial literacy programming to more than 10,000 boys and girls in Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret, and Kisumu, marking the league's most expansive youth development program in East Africa to date. The first year of the M-PESA Jr. NBA program, which tipped off with a clinic for more than 100 local coaches at SABIS International School in Nairobi, will consist of four regional tournaments for youth ages 13-16 in Nairobi (Feb. 22-23), Mombasa (March 8-9), Eldoret (March 15-16) and Kisumu (March 22-23). In each city, 20 boys' and 20 girls' teams will participate in skills development sessions and competitive games. The top 80 players will then be grouped into four boys' teams and four girls' teams that will play games in a round-robin format. The top 16 boys and girls from each city will be selected to attend an elite top 100 camp at Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa in April. In addition to the basketball development programming, M-PESA, Safaricom's innovative mobile payment platform, will host financial literacy workshops for the participating youth, empowering them to develop healthy financial habits. 'Tipping off our multiyear collaboration with Safaricom is an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to make basketball more accessible to Kenyan boys and girls,' said NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi. 'We look forward to positively impacting youth and coaches across the country through basketball development and life-skills programming.' 'Our collaboration with NBA Africa could not have come at a more opportune moment, as Safaricom's M-PESA will celebrate its 18 th anniversary this March, marking a significant milestone in our journey,' said Safaricom CEO Dr. Peter Ndegwa. 'Through M-PESA Go, this collaboration transcends beyond basketball. It is driven by a shared vision to create a lasting impact, not only in sports but also in the broader context of youth empowerment. We are committed to nurturing potential, building character, and equipping the next generation with the tools necessary for success. We firmly believe that the association between M-PESA Go and the Jr. NBA program can pave the way for growth and financial health, enabling young athletes to develop their skills and seize opportunities at the next level.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Basketball Africa League (BAL). About NBA Africa: NBA Africa is an affiliate of the National Basketball Association (NBA), a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. NBA Africa conducts the league's business in Africa, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL), and has opened subsidiary offices in Cairo, Egypt; Dakar, Senegal; Johannesburg, South Africa; Lagos, Nigeria; and Nairobi, Kenya. The league's efforts on the continent have focused on increasing access to basketball and the NBA through youth and elite development, social responsibility, media distribution, corporate partnerships, NBA Africa Games, NBA Stores, the BAL, and more. NBA games and programming are available in all 54 African countries, and the NBA has hosted three sold-out exhibition games on the continent since 2015. The BAL, a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and NBA Africa, is a professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa that will tip off its fifth season in April 2025. Fans can follow @ NBA_Africa ( and @ theBAL ( on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube. About Safaricom: Safaricom is the leading telecommunication company in East Africa. Our purpose is to transform lives by connecting people to people, people to opportunities, and people to information. We keep over 45.9 million customers connected and play a critical role in the society, supporting over one million jobs both directly and indirectly while our total economic value was estimated at KES 393 billion ($3.1 billion) for the 12 months through March 2022. Listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange and with annual revenues of close to KES 335.4 billion as of March 2024, Safaricom provides connectivity through wide range of technology, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G in aggregate covering over 99% of Kenya's population. Safaricom is an equal opportunity employer, actively recruiting staff from different backgrounds reflecting the communities that we serve. We are committed to equal gender representation at all levels. Our target is to achieve 50:50 senior management gender parity by 2025. As part of our ongoing commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we continue to work towards improving energy and resource efficiency in our network and facilities to reduce carbon emissions and our fuel consumption. We remain committed to becoming a Net Zero carbon-emitting company by 2050.
Zawya
16-02-2025
- Sport
- Zawya
National Basketball Association (NBA) Africa Creates Annual Dikembe Mutombo Humanitarian Award
New Award Will be Given Out Annually to Individuals and Organizations Making Exceptional Contributions to Humanitarian Efforts NBA Africa Will Donate 55 Basketball Courts to Communities on the Continent in Honor of Mutombo and His Iconic Jersey Number NBA Commissioner Adam Silver today announced the creation of the NBA Africa ( Dikembe Mutombo Humanitarian Award, a new annual honor that will recognize a person or an organization that works to advance health, education or economic opportunity across the continent of Africa. The award is named after the late four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer who served as the NBA's first global ambassador following his retirement from the league in 2009. Silver also announced that NBA Africa will donate 55 courts to local communities on the continent in honor of Mutombo and his iconic jersey number, beginning in his native Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo where he first discovered his love for the game. The courts will feature a distinct design inspired by Mutombo and contribute to NBA Africa's commitment of building 1,000 courts on the continent over the next decade. The announcement was made at the 10 th annual NBA Africa All-Star Luncheon in San Francisco, Calif. as part of NBA All-Star 2025. The award will be presented annually beginning at next year's luncheon, with the recipient receiving a financial grant to further their humanitarian efforts and a donation from NBA Africa to a charity of their choice. 'Dikembe devoted his life to helping others and brought joy to so many people across Africa and around the world,' said Silver. 'This new award and the basketball courts built in his name will honor Dikembe's extraordinary legacy as a global humanitarian.' Selected fourth overall in the 1991 NBA Draft, Mutombo spent 18 years in the NBA during which time he was an eight-time NBA All-Star and four-time Defensive Player of the Year, leading the league in blocked shots three times and becoming the second-leading shot blocker in NBA history. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. Recognized for his philanthropic and humanitarian work, Mutombo was a recipient of many awards, including the Congressional Humanitarian Award (2013), John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Goodermote Humanitarian Award (2011), Laureus World Sports Award (2010), John Thompson Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award (2010) and the U.S. President's Service Award (2000). A general hospital he built in Kinshasa and named in memory of his late mother, the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, opened its doors to the public in 2007. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).
