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The American Embassy in Nairobi has partnered with United States International University (USIU)-Africa to empower female students through basketball.

Dubbed Basketball Mtaani, the initiative was launched last Monday at the institution’s basketball courts under the watchful eyes of John Drew Giblin, Cultural Attache’, Public Diplomacy Section in the embassy, Program Manager Grace Kiraguri and US embassy representative Morgan Odera.

According to Kiraguri, the venture shall involve 20 sessions on technical aspects, leadership and communication skills every Monday until the commencement of the closing date.

The deliberate policy by the American exchange Program encompasses five institutions of higher learning led by the host USIU.

Others are Kenyatta University, Zetech University, Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).

At least 30 students drawn from the campuses converged at the venue where they embraced the Sports and Mentorship initiative for women in basketball in a venture that is tailored at giving them an opportunity to impart the skills learned to the community.

Giblin urged the participants to embrace the chance, saying “Kenya and the USA have been great partners since time immemorial and I must say this is powerful tool to grow the game in the country just like athletics,”’

He added: “USA has been in the forefront in film and fashion issues and we deemed it fit to venture into sports and especially where Kenya is doing extremely well.”

The program that will run for 6 months (March to August) will be using the basketball sports as a platform to not only sharpen playing techniques but also as a platform to equip the players with life skills through a well-structured mentorship program, complete with a curriculum.

The initiative is modeled along the Global Sports Mentoring Program concept where the participants attend structured mentorship classes to equip them with life skills besides playing.

 The program aims to empower them to be the best on and off the courts with the technical bench backed up by a powerful team of five exceptional female coaches including Mary Chepkoi, Silalei Shani, Sylvia Kamau, Christine Moraa and Rose Mshila.

The initiative is modeled along the Global Sports Mentoring Program concept where the participants attend structured mentorship classes to equip them with life skills besides playing.