- The National Basketball Association (NBA) office in Nairobi will open in November
- The NBA office in Nairobi is responsible for coordinating the NBA’s activities in Kenya
- Local schools and communities will benefit a lot from the office’s presence in Kenya
The National Basketball Association (NBA) office in Nairobi scheduled to open its doors in November 1 2023 has a huge impact on basketball in East Africa.
It will be the first NBA office in Africa, and it is a sign of the NBA’s commitment to growing the game of basketball in the region. State House Kenya spokesperson Hussein Mohamed confirmed that Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba singed an MoU with the NBA in New York.
President William Ruto who is currently in New York witnessed the signing of the agreement.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF NBA OFFICE IN NAIROBI?
The NBA office in Nairobi is responsible for coordinating the NBA’s activities in Kenya and the East African region. This includes developing and supporting basketball programs, training coaches and referees, and promoting the NBA game to fans in the region.
The official signing of an MoU Okaying the opening of NBA office in Nairobi, Kenya. Photo/State House Kenya
Some of the positive impacts on basketball in Kenya this office will have include the following:
- Develop and support basketball programs in Kenya, including the NBA Jr. NBA program and the NBA Academy Africa program
- Train coaches and referees in Kenya
- Promote the NBA game to fans in Kenya through a number of initiatives, including social media campaigns and fan events
- Increase opportunities for Kenyan basketball players to play professional basketball
- Inspire the next generation of Kenyan basketball players
- Support basketball infrastructure development in Kenyan local communities such as basketball courts
WHAT HAS NBA JR. NBA PROGRAM IN KENYA ACHIEVED?
The development of the NBA Jr. NBA program in Kenya stands out significantly courtesy of the NBA office in Nairobi. It is a global youth basketball development program that teaches the fundamentals of the game to boys and girls of ages 6-14. The NBA Jr. NBA program was launched in Kenya in 2021, and it has already had a positive impact on the development of youth basketball in the country.
The NBA Jr. NBA program is implemented in Kenya through a partnership with the Kenyan Basketball Federation (KBF). The KBF selects schools to participate in the program, and the NBA provides training for the coaches and referees who run the program. The NBA Jr. NBA program also provides basketball equipment and uniforms for the participating schools.
In the first year of implementation, over 10,000 boys and girls participated which helped in popularizing basketball to thousands of Kenyan children. Further, it also helped in developing the skills of young Kenyan basketball players.
IS THERE AN NBA ACADEMY AFRICA PROGRAM?
The existence of NBA office in Nairobi brings the development of the NBA Academy Africa program. This is a year-round training program for the top 12 male and female basketball players from across Africa. It was launched in 2020, and it is located in Saly, Senegal.
The NBA Academy Africa program is highly competitive, and only the best young basketball players in Africa are selected to participate. It provides the participants with world-class training and facilities and its main goal is preparing the participants for professional basketball careers.
Basketball pundits indicate that there is positive impact on the development of basketball in Africa since its launch. Several players from the Academy are now playing on to play professional basketball in the NBA and other leagues around the world.
IS BASKETBALL POPULAR IN KENYA?
The NBA office in Nairobi has also had a positive impact on the promotion of the NBA game in Kenya. The office has hosted a number of fan events in Kenya, and also launched a number of social media campaigns to promote the sport to Kenyan fans.
Basketball. Photo/Feedinco
Moreover, it also increased opportunities for Kenyan basketball players to play professional basketball. A part of its plan is working with the Kenyan Basketball Federation to develop a professional basketball league in Kenya. The Kenyan Basketball Federation Professional League (KBFPL) was launched in 2022, and it is the first professional basketball league in Kenya.
KBFPL gives Kenyan basketball players the opportunity to play professional basketball on home soil. The KBFPL has also helped to raise the level of basketball in Kenya.
Lastly, the NBA office in Nairobi is a big inspiration for the next generation of Kenyan basketball players. Many Kenyan children now dream of playing professional basketball in the NBA.
CONCLUSION
The opening of the NBA office in Nairobi is a significant development for basketball in Kenya and Africa. The NBA office is expected to have a positive impact on basketball in Kenya and the East African region for years to come.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login