President William Ruto has sealed a delectable deal with the National Basketball Association (NBA), the professional basketball league in North America, that would see Kenya get 100 basketball courts.
In a statement on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, the Head of State indicated that the basketball giant league had agreed to set up the courts schools and different communities across the country.
NBA will undertake the construction works for the next 10 years after conducting feasibility studies and identifying specific areas where they will focus.
According to the President, the deal is expected to help develop basketball talent in the country.
“The National Basketball Association (NBA) of the United States will build 100 basketball courts in schools and communities across Kenya in the next decade in an effort to grow the sport,” Ruto’s statement read in part.
Other deals
Besides setting up basketball courts, the Head of State announced that the NBA will establish their hub in Kenya.
Ruto made the announcement after meeting NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum at State House. He was accompanied by five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher and the US Ambassador to Kenya.
In September 2023, NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams signed a deal with the then Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba to provide training to local school teachers and coaches on modern skills and knowledge of the game.
During the meeting, the two officials also agreed to assist the country with the construction of basketball infrastructure, including courts in neighbourhoods and schools as well as an elite arena to host high-level matches.
They also vowed to establish a clinic to help identify and mentor budding basketball talent in the country.
NBA has been involved in various talent development initiatives in the country including the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) project which has seen various young players and coaches benefit from training clinics within and without the country.
BWB has also partnered with various local communities to renovate basketball courts around the country and in Nairobi, including Kayole, Umoja and Dagoretti, among others.
