AFD, NBA Africa to expand basketball experience programme

AFD Country Director, Xavier Muron (left); French Ambassador to Nigeria, Her Excellency, Emmanuelle Blatmann; Executive Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Sola Aiyepeku and Vice President NBA Africa & Country Head, NBA Nigeria, Gbemisola Abudu at the official launch of the Jr. NBA & AFD Basketball Experience Programme in Lagos

NBA Africa and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) have announced the official launch of the Jr. NBA & AFD Basketball Experience programme in Lagos.

The flagship initiative, which was introduced in Lagos in November 2021 as a pilot programme, aims to use basketball as a platform to promote social inclusion and support secondary school children to become change-makers in their local communities.

The programme’s weekly basketball and life skills sessions will educate youth participants about issues including physical well-being, mental health, life skills and healthy living.

As part of the initiative, with the support of new partners, including the Lagos State Sports Commission, the collaboration will also support the renovation of outdoor basketball courts in Lagos and scale up the programme to reach more youth across the city.

The announcement was made at an official ceremony that include H.E. French Ambassador to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann; AFD Director for Nigeria, Xavier Muron; NBA Africa Vice President & Country Head of Nigeria, Gbemisola Abudu; Dream Sports Africa’s (DSA) Nigeria Country Director, Michael Anejo and representatives of the Lagos State Government among other dignitaries.

“This programme demonstrates AFD and NBA Africa’s shared vision of using sport as a tool to foster gender inclusion, sustainable development and social cohesion in Nigeria.

“After the successful first