The United States Consulate-General, Lagos have announced partnership with Organised Basketball Network (OBN) Academy to start a sports diplomacy programme termed ‘Uplift African Youth Through Basketball’ to help 100 unprivileged boys and girls between the age of 6-18 in different communities in Rivers state.
The basketball programme will expose the participants to different opportunities to learn from mentors including alumni of the U.S. government exchange programmes, about the sport, gender-based violence, entrepreneurship, and inclusion of marginalized communities.
U.S. Consulate Deputy Public Affairs Officer, Jennifer Foltz, said that the United States government is committed to empower and impact valuable skills in youths in poor communities through sports.
“Our sports programmes are not just about sports, they are a way to engage people, especially youth, on important topics,” she said. ”For our programme today, the youth participants will learn about basketball, but also about gender-based violence and inclusion of marginalized communities. In addition, they will build their communication, leadership, and teamwork skills.”
OBN Academy is a local basketball institution founded by former NBA player Obinna Ekezie
The next edition of the “Uplift African Youth Through Basketball” will take place in Lagos in the coming weeks.
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