The NBA Africa and Agence Franaise de Dveloppement (AFD), which is France’s public development institution, successfully concluded the third season of the Jr. NBA & AFD Basketball Experience. The event took place over two days at the National Stadium in Surelere, Lagos on September 10 and 11.
The celebration revolved around a symposium discussion on the program’s core values and a workshop for physical education teachers. During the event, important topics such as mental health, hygiene, and gender equality were addressed. Additionally, there was a focus on empowering PE teachers and enhancing the learning experience for students in their respective schools.
In his remarks, Xavier Muron, AFD Country Director for Nigeria, expressed the institution’s belief that sports can be a catalyst for change, driving social and economic progress. Thus, their participation in the program reflects their dedication to investing in youth, skills development, and community empowerment.
Laurent Favier, the General Consul of France in Nigeria, highlighted the various initiatives supported by the French Embassy over the past two years that promote inclusion through sports across Nigeria. These efforts highlight the transformative power of sports, not only for personal development but also for fostering inclusion, unity, and better health within communities.
According to Gbemisola Abudu, Vice President and Head of NBA Nigeria, the Jr. NBA & AFD Basketball Experience has played a crucial role in making basketball more accessible to Nigerian youth. It also emphasizes the importance of mental health, hygiene, and gender equality.
The Jr. NBA & AFD Basketball Experience is a youth development program that provides weekly basketball and life skills sessions to educate African youth about the significance of physical and mental health. This initiative aims to use basketball as a platform for promoting social inclusion and inspiring secondary school children to become change-makers in their communities.
Over the past three years, the program has reached over 40,000 youth from 54 schools in Lagos through basketball clinics and life-skills sessions.