The National Basketball Association (NBA), Africa in conjunction with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff’s first visit to the country this week, marked the first-ever all-girls Jr. NBA clinic in the country.
The basketball partnership clinic, which took place in the capital city of Accra was a historic talent training session for girls in Ghana.
Over 50 girls between the ages of 6 and 14 participated in the clinic with a life skills seminar led by 2003 WNBA champion Astou Ndiaye.
The event which was led by NBA Africa’s Coaching and Training Consultant, John Bantamoi, and Fire’s Head Coach, Lawrence Ampiah aimed to promote basketball among young girls in Ghana and empower them through sport.
In attendance were the USA’s Second Gentleman, Douglas Emhoff, Ghana’s Minister of Youth and Sports Hon. Mustapha Ussif, Ghana Basketball Association President Ato Van-Ess, NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams, NBA Africa Head of Basketball Operations Franck Traore, and Basketball Africa League Head of Strategy and Operations John Manyo-Plange.
“We are thrilled to be back in Accra to host the first all-girls Jr. NBA clinic in Ghana as part of NBA Africa’s broader efforts to make the game of basketball more accessible across the continent,” the NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams said.
“We are thankful to Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff and Ghana’s Minister of Youth and Sports Hon. Mustapha Ussif for their support and look forward to bringing more events to Ghana in the near future.”
The girls received coaching on fundamental basketball skills, such as dribbling, passing, shooting, and defence, and had the opportunity to play in mini-games and drills. They also learned about the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship, as well as the values of hard work and perseverance.
The clinic was part of NBA Africa’s ongoing efforts to promote basketball and gender equality in the continent and was supported by the Ghana Basketball Association and the Ghana Education Service. NBA Africa is planning to hold more clinics in the future to encourage more girls to take up basketball and pursue their dreams on and off the court.
