Bakee Mtaani Initiative launches ultra-modern basketball court in Kayole

Eatery mega firm KFC Kuku Foods has paired up with Jonathan Jackson Foundation that sponsors Kenya Premier League side Nairobi City Stars to set up a new basketball court at Umama grounds owned by Divine World Parish (DIWOPA) in Komarock along Kangundo road.

The latest unveiling is the fourth basketball court constructed by the Foundation under its trailblazing Bakee Mtaani Program that is aimed at availing state of the art basketball training facilities for the talent development as part of the foundation’s Community Social Responsibility drive.

‘Bakee Mtaani’ (basketball in the hood) is a revolutionary community initiative that introduces basketball courts as safe spaces within Nairobi’s informal settlements and communities.

The project includes the identification and construction of basketball courts, sourcing of equipment, implementing training for coaches and referees to oversee basketball tournaments and comprehensive training programs for the youths to learn the sport and ensure high levels of participation.

KFC is coming on board as a major funding partner for the Kayole-community based full size basketball court, which is preceded by three other courts built in the Dagoretti North and Dagoretti South Communities.

Speaking to Citizen Digital at the groundbreaking ceremony in Komarock Kuku Foods Chief Executive Officer Jacques Theunissen said their participation in the program is an indication of their unwavering support for talent development in the country.

“KFC employs over 1000 youth who also form a core part of our customer base at KFC.

“We are therefore very aligned to JJF’s mission of addressing the burning issues of youth unemployment and social development,”

“Our partnership as KFC with the NBA in Africa also aims to create a space for aspiring basketballers to hone their skill and love for the game while winning some cool prizes as part of our Now We’re Balling campaign.”

On their part, the Foundation, through CEO Diana Sifuna, thanked KFC for the new partnership;

"It's an honor to have KFC on board as a partner with the Foundation for this noble course. It's not just a court coming up but a facility that brings the youth together for engagement, not only for the game, but for mutually beneficial purposes,"

"We have so far successfully put up three courts in the Dagoretti area, but this one iss significant as it's the first out in Kayole and hopefully, with a cemented partnership with KFC, this will be the first of many within the City," said Diana

Jonathan Jackson echoed boss Diana by stating adding that they will aim to undertake similar projects in future as part of their commitment to support community welfare in urban informal settlements.

"I'd like to say thank you to the Catholic Church for agreeing to donate their land. We don’t own it but they do.

“The three courts that we've built before were financed by ourselves and at this point I'd like to thank KFC for being our first partner and for coming to join us to construct this basketball court.

“We hope that this will not be the last one; we hope there will more to come," said Jonathan

The new court, upon completion, will be open to use for all youth in the area, as well as schools and league teams.