NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 29 – In a stylish cocktail party event, the NBA Africa Kenya office launch was celebrated in pomp and colour Wednesday evening in Nairobi graced by five-time NBA champion Ron Harper.
After a day-long session conducting NBA Junior clinic for 70 boys and girls aged 16 years and under at SABIS International School, Nairobi, it was time to loosen up as basketball enthusiasts in the country gathered in the evening at a posh Nairobi hotel to dine with the greats.
The atmosphere was all set decorated with basketball gears as the guests were welcomed by a group of Maasai who displayed their culture before they were entertained by the famous Royal Burundi drummers.
“Mambo? Habari? (hi? how are you?),” NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams wowed the guests when he greeted them in the local Swahili language.
Williams, having lived in Kenya before, expressed his pleasure to have an NBA office in Kenya, noting that it will make Kenya a shining basketball hub in East Africa.
“Opening an NBA office here is important growth for the game in Africa and particular in choosing Kenya as priority market and we are proud to open this office in Nairobi as our fifth office in the African continent,” Williams said.
He added, “It is built on the efforts of many people to grow the game of basketball, NBA brand on the African continent and we are thankful for the warm welcome we have received from the basketball ecosystem in Kenya, from the Kenya Basketball Federation, Ministry of Sports and Education and most importantly from the President himself.”
“We already have a firm foundation in-terms of fan engagement, we are looking to build on those efforts, amplify and grow them, grow the participation of the youth in the game as we seek to grow at the elite level and ultimately at the professional level here in Kenya.”
Williams called on the basketball ecosystem in Kenya to help the new office move forward and help develop the game in the country.
“We need all of your help, we are grateful that you have chose to make us part of your evening, but we ask for your sustained commitment and partnership going forward to continue to give life to the game and make Kenya a shining hub for basketball in East Africa, across the continent and indeed across the globe.”
-Amadou-
On his part, Basketball Africa League boss Amadou Gallo Fall, is confident the coming of NBA to Nairobi, will spur the local league (Kenya Basketball Federation League) be strong and attractive.
“This was a longtime plan that we had, we have always seen Kenya as a place where basketball will strive with prospect. I have spent a lot of time here in Kenya before, promoting the game from grassroot level, running a University League, so we are talking something that we are familiar with,” Amadou stated.
“We are looking forward to everyone here supporting us in this effort as we look to establish NBA as the number one brand in Africa. Basketball League Africa is the platform that has seen us establish talent from grassroot to elite, we have incredibly basketball courts in Johannesburg, Dakar, Cairo, Kigali and very soon we hope to bring the excitement here in Nairobi,” The Basketball Africa League president added.
“The President of Kenya is super excited, he has supported the foundation, the federation, the NBA team and I know he will work closely with NBA Kenya Senior Director and Country Operations Lead Michael Finley to make sure the local league here become strong so that we can retain most of our talent in the African continent.”
-New assignment–
NBA Kenya Senior Director and Country Operations Lead Michael Finley believes Kenyans have every reason to be excited about the development of the sport in the country.
Finley said the office opens a new frontier for NBA to establish enthralling local and international partnerships as they strive to grow the sport in the country and continent-wide.
“We already have some partners that are excited about getting involved in this game…from the local to the large companies. They are excited about working with the NBA…we have got different development agencies looking to work with the NBA. So, in the first quarter of 2024, we will begin work with the federation (Kenya Basketball Federation) to start developing the game,” Finley said.
– Legendary Harper-
Legendary Harper said the continent is naturally endowed with talents who will eventually come good out of the development programmes currently undertaken by NBA and its partners.
“In two years, I want to see many of these kids get to the Junior Academy (NBA Junior Academy), chase their dreams and get a chance to showcase their talent. I hope to see them get a chance to become the next superstar in the WNBA as well as the NBA. I always say, in the next 5-10 years, there are going to be a lot of great players coming from Africa,” Harper said.
