Mobi Akiode
ESPN is running a series called “Her Story”. In one of the episodes, they profile a young Nigerian lady named Mobolaji (“Mobi”) Akiode who is making a difference to the game in Nigeria.
Mobi played for the Nigerian national team at one time, and also spent time living with her family in Newark, New Jersey, working for ESPN as an accountant.
Zambia
If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s truth in the statement that “you do not get because you do not ask”, just ask the Zambia Basketball Association.
In an article titled “FIBA helps bring hope to Zambia”, FIBA’s willingness to invest in Africa and contribute to the development of growth and basketball was highlighted.
Senegal
Senegalese basketball has just elected a new president, Baba Tandian.
Just listen to some of Mr Tandian’s comments in this interview (a rough translation, I presume) published on FIBA Afrique, and consider how familiar the issues that Senegalese basketball is facing sound to us. Continue reading »
One of the most exciting recent developments in South African basketball is the launch of the Township Basketball League (“TBL”) in the Western Cape.
Their first event took place in Khayelitsha in May 2009, and they now have a high school division with 360 youth registered to play basketball in Khayelitsha across 14 schools.
Kahuthando is the spearhead behind this amazing initiative. They are a non-profit organisation, unfunded and resourced by volunteers in South Africa and overseas.
"ready" by threecee, via flickr
I know you know how important youth basketball is since you’ve grown up playing the game. But even someone who doesn’t play can work it out if they have half a brain.
By youth, I am referring both to the real youngsters who struggle to get the ball up into a regulation hoop, as well as teenagers who play the game on full-size courts.
Amadou Gallo fall joins the NBA as vice president of development in africa
NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2010 – Amadou Gallo Fall is joining the NBA on January 25 to serve as Vice President of Development for the NBA in Africa it was announced today by Heidi Ueberroth, President, NBA International.
Fall will be responsible for leading the NBA’s efforts to help grow the game and participation in Africa working with the local federations and basketball entities. He will oversee the NBA’s grassroots events and its partnerships with marketing, media and consumer products companies. Fall will start in the NBA’s New York office and then relocate to Johannesburg, South Africa this spring. Continue reading »
As preparation for the Zone 6 Games taking place in Potchefstroom in December 2008, selected boys and girls gathered at the High Performance Centre in the city of Tshwane from 29 September – 4 October 2008 for a camp. After arriving from different parts of the country, the players spent the first day acclimatising to the very hot weather conditions that Pretoria had to offer during that week while they were waiting for the late arrivals.
With both teams selected during the 2007 IPTs held in Pietermaritzburg, the coaches used the opportunity offered by these camps to assess and prepare for the games. Before the coaches could get the camp underway, they soon realised that they would not be able to use the LC de Villiers Indoor facility due to a communication error between various parties so they had to have their practices outside. Continue reading »
