Rabat – NBA Africa and the French Development Agency (AFD) organized yesterday a youth basketball development event in celebration of the closing of the first “Junior NBA & AFD Basketball Experience” in Morocco.
This year’s “Junior NBA & AFD Basketball Experience” program took place between April and July, with more than 3000 children and teenagers from the Casablanca-Settat region benefiting from various activities and seminars on topics such as skill development and gender equality.
The Junior NBA, the league’s world basketball program for young boys and girls, teaches the fundamental skills and values in basketball, such as teamwork, respect and determination.
The program has been implemented in 15 African countries, including Morocco.
According to a joint press release, the program was first launched in 2019, with the inauguration of the Zenata basketball court.
However, field activities were suspended in 2020 due to pandemic-related restrictions. “After a one-year interruption of activities due to the persistent effects of the pandemic, we are proud that the project has restarted in 2021 in Zenata and Casablanca,” declared the Director General of AFD, Remy Rioux.
“The Basketball Experience program will help young people to develop through the practice of basketball in schools in Casablanca and in the field,” he added.
Yesterday’s event, which was held at the Zenata Development Company (SAZ) basketball court, aims to promote local youth development.
During the celebratory event, NBA Africa and AFD held a basketball workshop and a seminar on practical skills for a group of 28 boys and girls aged from 12 to 18.
The Director General of NBA Africa, Victor Williams, the Director of the Africa Department of AFD, Christian Yoka, and the Managing Director of SAZ, Mohamed Amine El Hajhouj took the opportunity to deliver encouraging and inspiring speeches to the young participants.
“NBA Africa is committed to positively influencing the lives of young people throughout the African continent via basketball,” said Victor Williams.
According to the press release, AFD supports France’s conviction that sport plays a crucial role in economic and social development, through the creation of job opportunities and the promotion of gender equality.
AFD is also a partner of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), and has shown its support for the league’s inaugural season which was held in Kigali, Rwanda in May 2021.
