NBA Africa empowers Kenyan PE teachers in major basketball grassroots push

One hundred Physical Education (PE) teachers and educators converged at Nyayo National Stadium's basketball court on Thursday for the Basketball Experience Awareness Day, a landmark training initiative designed to transform how basketball and life skills are taught in Kenyan schools.

Organized by NBA Africa as part of its Basketball Experience programme, the full-day session delivered hands-on training in basketball fundamentals, the Jr.NBA curriculum and essential life skills.

Teachers explored the Rookie and Starter Modules through practical demonstrations led by NBA Africa Basketball Operations experts, while collaborative workshops with the Kenya Red Cross focused on building resilience, teamwork, and personal wellbeing among young learners.

All participants received training kits to take back to their schools, enabling them to roll out structured basketball programmes and life-skills session’s immediately.

The event aligns seamlessly with Kenya's Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), which prioritizes holistic child development, and aims to bridge the gap in early basketball exposure for Kenyan youth.

Eliud Wambua, Technical Director of Sports in the Ministry of Education, emphasized the programme's long-term value.

"The Competency Based Curriculum has really talked about the holistic development of a child and sports are a pathway.

“Basketball Experience has brought these children on board so by the time they get to senior school, they already have the skills in terms of playing basketball and being able to participate in international assignments."

Grace Mitambo, Senior Principal for Talent Identification and Recruitment highlighted the collaborative strength behind the initiative.

"When partners work together we always have the best for the nation.

“We appreciate NBA, AFD and all other partners that are bringing on board something the nation needs most."

Coach Joël Yoba from NBA Africa explained the core objective:

"The key is to equip the coaches with tools that they will use when they go back to the schools or the basketball teams with the kids and help them grow into basketball abilities.

“We just wanna make sure that where there is talent, we see them, we find them and help them nurture the talents."

Mercy Wangechi, a Basketball Experience coach, pointed to the fresh global insights the programme brings.

"This experience will greatly impact our learners because now we have coaches from even outside the country so whatever they are bringing from outside that is what we are going to adapt into our system and incorporate it."

Backed by partners including the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the Ministry of Education and the Kenya Red Cross, the Basketball Experience programme positions teachers as key multipliers in grassroots development.

By equipping educators with world-class resources and methodologies, the initiative seeks to create sustainable pathways for young Kenyans — from school playgrounds to potential international stages — while fostering essential life skills that extend far beyond the court.