Safaricom Partners with NBA Africa, launch Youth Program in Kenya
Safaricom through M-PESA has
partnered with NBA (National Basketball Association)- Africa to launch a youth
basketball development program geared towards empowering the youth by providing
opportunities through sports.
The program will empower the
youth aged 16 years and below through regional and national Jr. NBA
tournaments, NBA Fit & coaching clinics, and an elite camp for top Kenyan
prospects.
Through the collaboration, NBA
Africa and M-PESA will host four regional Jr. NBA tournaments across Kenya,
culminating with an 8-team National Championship.
The Jr. NBA Fit clinics will
involve life-skills seminars and financial literacy training courtesy of M-PES
Go – a product that aims to drive financial inclusion and financial literacy
among juniors aged 10-17 years.
The NBA Africa accredited scouts
and coaches will also support coaching and capacity building for junior players
through training and mentorship programs.
The top 100 talents (boys and
girls) will be scouted from the regional tournaments and enrolled into the NBA
elite basketball camp.
They will then have an
opportunity to participate in NBA Africa’s other elite development initiatives
in the continent.
“Our partnership with NBA Africa
for the Jr. Basketball Program underscores our commitment to opening meaningful
opportunities for young Kenyans through sport and financial empowerment. This
collaboration will not only help develop local basketball talent but also,
through M-PESA Go, equip young people with essential financial skills to
support their personal growth.
"Together with NBA Africa,
we’re empowering the next generation to build their futures on and off the
court, creating a lasting impact on youth and communities across Kenya,” said
Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom PLC.
“Our collaboration with Safaricom
builds on the NBA’s ongoing efforts to grow basketball in Kenya and across the
continent of Africa,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
“We look forward to creating more
opportunities for young people to engage in physical activity and learn the
values inherent in sport,” he added.
For Basketball enthusiasts, Safaricom is also offering a bundled product giving customers access to data packages for NBA content. Customers will have access to daily, weekly and monthly offers giving access to all premium NBA live games, allowing them to watch condensed games, and have customizable NBA broadcasts, game angles and statistics.
“We continue to create
opportunities for our youth, whether through connectivity or by providing them
with a platform through which they can launch their sports careers.
"We do this because we are Kenya’s biggest supporter and are led by our purpose of transforming lives. We look forward to engaging with NBA Africa as we explore how to transform the lives of our basketball loving youth across the country.”
The collaboration marks the
league’s most expansive youth development programming in East Africa to date
and makes Safaricom an Official Partner of the Jr. NBA in Kenya.
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