September 7, 2007
By Lesego Madumo
INTERNATIONAL basketball stars are in town to run a training camp in Jozi and to give back to the community.
Basketball Without Borders (BWB) has been designed to improve the playing skills of some 100 young athletes through drills, scrimmages and competitions. It is run by top players and coaches from the US's National Basketball Association (NBA) and is taking place until Sunday, 9 September at the American International School of Johannesburg, near Diepsloot.
BWB Africa was first held in Johannesburg in 2003. This year's camp started on 5 September, with athletes from 21 African countries gathering at the school. They are all under 19 years old and were selected by the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) based on their skill, leadership abilities and dedication to the sport through promoting friendship and diversity.
Motivational and life-skills seminars are part of the camp, shaped to promote education, leadership, character development and a healthy lifestyle. There is an emphasis on HIV/Aids awareness and prevention. It is being held under the auspices of Fiba, the NBA and Basketball South Africa (BSA).
According to Kathleen Behrens, the NBA's senior vice-president of community and player programmes, the camp is part of the association's global basketball development and community outreach curriculum. The aim is to use sport to implant a culture of social change among young people.
"BWB is well established as the NBA's innovative global programme."
Training is by Dikembe Mutombo, the former Houston Rockets centre. The Houston Rockets is an American basketball team. Speaking before the camp began, Mutombo, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said he would retire next year after 15 years serving the sport.
"I want to see an increase of African players in the NBA, because this means a lot. I also want to get involved in more community service," said the 2,4 metre tall, croaky-voiced basketball legend.
He wanted BWB to encapsulate the best of what the NBA had to offer, using its players as positive role models while giving back to communities in need. Coming to the country for the fifth time was "a privilege and a testament to the success of the programme".
Mutombo, who has spearheaded the programme in Africa since its inception in Joburg in 2003, has been joined by a host of other NBA stars and coaching personnel.
Chicago Bulls guard Chris Duhon said every NBA player should take the opportunity to participate in this programme, since it not only built the hope and aspirations of young campers, it also touched the lives of many people and communities in need.
Community outreach programmes are part of BWB. The NBA and its partners have created 43 places around the world where families and children either live, learn or play. This year more than 65 members of the NBA are taking part, including 30 current and former NBA coaches and team personnel.
The training camp at the American International School in Johannesburg
As part of the 2007 camp, the NBA and the De Beers Fund will hand over a new paediatric AIDS hospice in Soweto for Cotlands, the non-profit organisation that helps babies, on Saturday, 8 September.
"NBA players have a great passion for the game and for giving back to the community," Behrens said. The programme fused community outreach and basketball development, and "allows our players to celebrate the game and make a lasting difference for those in need".
Basketball Without Borders runs until Sunday, 9 September at the American International School of Johannesburg near Diepsloot. For more information call Lisa Govington on 011 622 7992 or email lisa@complex.co.za.
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