NBA Africa and the Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) unveiled a newly refurbished court at the Campos Stadium in Lagos on Thursday.
The refurbishment is part of the partnership between Jr. NBA & AFD Basketball Experience program in Lagos.
The project is in collaboration with the Lagos State Sports Commission and it will benefit youth in Lagos and surrounding communities by providing them with more opportunities to learn and play the game of basketball.
The unveiling ceremony had in attendance French Ambassador to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann; Consul General of France in Lagos, Laurent Favier; AFD Director for Nigeria, Xavier Muron; NBA Africa VP and Country Head of NBA Nigeria, Gbemisola Abudu; 2003 WNBA Champion, Astou Ndiaye; and Dream Sports Africa Founder & CEO, Chenfa Dombin.
Ambassador Blatmann described the refurbished court as a milestone project that will help in actualising the dreams of young boys and girls across Lagos State.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our collaboration with Nigeria, as we inaugurate this basketball court,” Ambassador Blatmann said.
“Sports have the power to unite people, and this project exemplifies the strong ties between France, AFD, and Nigeria in promoting youth empowerment and skill development through sport.
“I am convinced that having this dedicated sharing space will enable young girls and boys to become changemakers in their local communities.”
Following the court unveiling, NBA Africa & AFD hosted a Jr. NBA clinic for 70 boys and girls to celebrate the newly refurbished court.
Jr. NBA & AFD Basketball Experience program is part of AFD and NBA Africa’s larger collaboration to support youth development through basketball across the continent and builds on the inaugural Jr. NBA & AFD Basketball Experience launched in Zenata, Morocco in 2019.
In November 2021, AFD and NBA Africa initiated a pilot phase in Lagos implemented by international non-governmental organisation Dream Sports Africa. To date, the programme has reached more than 34,000 boys and girls ages 12-17 from 55 public and private schools in Lagos State.
