“The signing of an agreement with the National Basketball Association (NBA) will facilitate the development of basketball infrastructure in Kenya” President Ruto Said.

Kenya has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Basketball Association (NBA) to facilitate the development of basketball infrastructure and talent in the country.

     The MOU, signed by Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts Ababu Namwamba and NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams in New York, was witnessed by President William Ruto, Toronto Raptors Vice Chairman and President Masai Ujiri, Basketball Africa League President Amadou Fall, and former NBA All-Star Luol Deng.

“The signing of an agreement with the National Basketball Association (NBA) will facilitate the development of basketball infrastructure in Kenya, with the capacity to host top-level competitions. The pact will also facilitate school and grassroots talent development under the Talanta Hela Initiative and the opening of an NBA office in Nairobi,” President Ruto said.

 

The MOU majors on:

•  Infrastructure development: The NBA will help Kenya develop an elite-level arena with the capacity to host top-level competitions.
• Talent development: The NBA will work with Kenya to develop school and community-based basketball programs under the #TalantaHela Initiative. This will include training teachers as certified basketball coaches and scouts.
• Regional coordination: The NBA will open an office in Nairobi to coordinate its activities in the region.
  The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aims to create opportunities for gifted Kenyan basketball players to realize their full potential, establish careers, and secure stable sources of income..
  Kenya’s under-23 3×3 basketball teams will represent the country in the world championship in Poland from September 27 to October 1. Kenya will also compete in the open men’s and women’s divisions, as well as the U21/U17 Africa Cup in Cairo, Egypt in December, aiming for Gold to qualify for the Olympic Universality Tournament.

The NBA supports basketball development in Africa, with initiatives like the Basketball Africa League (BAL), featuring 12 teams across the continent. The BAL’s first season was in Rwanda, and the second in Senegal. The NBA also has programs like NBA Academy Africa for elite young players, NBA Global Academy for top high school players worldwide, and the NBA G League, the NBA’s minor league.