Table of Contents
- NBA Africa, together with Agence Française de Développement (AFD) hosted a Jr. NBA clinic in Nairobi
- The Jr. NBA clinic is part of the Basketball Experience initiative jointly overseen by AFD and NBA Africa
- Basketball Experience is impacting the lives of young people and children living with disabilities
Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and NBA Africa, through Basketball Experience, hosted a Jr. NBA clinic in Nairobi.
The Basketball Experience, a joint initiative between the two entities, welcomed under-17 non-deaf and deaf girls and boys at Kinyanjui Road Primary School in Dagoretti South constituency on Tuesday.
The junior basketball clinic aimed at promoting social inclusion for children living with disabilities.
Michael Finley, the NBA Kenya Director, Arnauld Suquet (French Ambassador to Kenya) and Anne-Gaël Chapuis (AFD Kenya Country Director) graced the clinic.
They were hosted by Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie.
What is the Basketball Experience Initiative?
Basketball Experience is a weekly youth development initiative rolled out in 50 schools within Nairobi. It focuses on creating more opportunities for the Kenyan youth in basketball.
Additionally, it teaches life skills, mental wellness, and physical wellness and promotes inclusivity. It was launched in July 2024 and has reached at least 8,000 young people.
The program has enlisted the support of 20 basketball coaches – nine men and 11 women.
Basketball Experience Jr. NBA clinic. NBA Africa and AFD jointly run the program its aim being promoting social inclusion and creating more opportunities for the youth through basketball. Photo/Kurunzi News
NBA Africa Jr. Clinic in Nairobi
Finley stated that they aim to not only promote social inclusion for children with disabilities but also inspire a new generation of players
Basketball Experience powered by NBA Africa and AFD seeks to make the sport accessible to young Kenyans. Finley said their main objective is to create opportunities for all young Kenyans through basketball.
The success of the project depends on how many people the initiative reaches. Already, Basketball Experience is in 50 schools across Kenya.
Some 7,000 students are benefitting from basketball sessions held in schools weekly. AFD and team are now looking at expanding the initiative to schools catering for children with disabilities.
The Kenya Academy of Sports basketball court in Nairobi has been refurbished through the Jr. NBA Basketball Experience.
Basketball Experience Funding
The French government, through AFD, is funding the program with a focus on expanding it to other African countries. On the other hand, NBA Africa is jointly coordinating the execution of Basketball Experience.
Chapuis, who heads AFD in Kenya, said they are keen on ensuring children with disabilities enjoy basketball. She stated that it teaches them life skills and builds their confidence, besides promoting social inclusivity.
These skills will help these children to succeed in life, according to the AFD country director.
Dagoretti South MP praised the program stating that it is positively impacting his constituents, especially children with disabilities.
The constituency has a high number of special schools compared to other constituencies within Nairobi. Therefore, he is appreciative of NBA Africa and AFD for Basketball Experience now in special schools.
Basketball Experience is weekly youth development initiative rolled out in 50 schools within Nairobi. Photo/NBA Africa Official
Growing Basketball in Kenya
The Jr. NBA clinic has also partnered with Kenyan telco giant Safaricom to popularize basketball in Kenya.
Dubbed the M-PESA Jr. NBA Program, it gives young people a chance to compete in regional basketball tournaments. The best players are poached for elite camps.
Moreover, the program powered by Safaricom teaches financial literacy to young basketball players. Meanwhile, grassroot NBA clinics teach important basketball skills in schools and develop necessary infrastructure such as basketball courts.
This gives all youths an equal chance at playing basketball on a higher level.
