By Chinedu Ohanusi

The Jordan Nwora Foundation (JNF), in collaboration with New York Square, along with a Beninoise NGO, Enfant Du Benin Debout, and the Beninoise and Ghana Basketball Federations (FBBB & GBBA) opened a new vista, aimed at fast tracking the development of the Slam and Dunk game, at the youth level.

To this end, the three collaborators, in partnership with FIBA Africa Zone 3, organized basketball camps for Boys and Girls between the ages of 14-18 across in June, 2024.

With the support of the hierarchy at FIBA Africa, multiple  Camps have been held in iconic cities like Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire, Accra in Ghana, as well as Makurdi, Abuja, Lafia, Lagos and Onitsha, all in Nigeria as well in since 2021.

It is worthy of note that the objectives of running these camps were fully achieved, and some talented youngsters discovered at these camps , have among other benefits , secured basketball scholarships to foreign and local institutions. 

Within the year under review, that’s 2024, three camps have been successfully held in Port-Novo/Cotonou, in the Republic of Benin, (June 4th, 5th and 6th). Same for Tamale, in Ghana (June 4th-6th)  and Awka, South-East Nigeria (June 21-23).

The successes of these camps, were further bolstered by the decision of the organizers to partner with other organizations, who  provided some logistics at each centre.

The camp held in Ghana was exceptional, in the sense that Africa witnessed a first of its kind  collaboration which culminated in the construction of a basketball court and borehole for the local community in Tamale, by one of the partners, New York Square, while Jordan Nwora Foundation provided all the materials and also handled the camp’s technical aspect with support from FIBA.

With respect of the event in Ghana, President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, Col Sam Ahmedu (Rtd), stated that, “It became necessary  to explore the idea of each party contributing resources towards achieving the overall objective. The construction of a borehole and basketball Court for the local community has indeed opened up a new vista in youth development”.

Retd. Col Ahmedu added that, “besides acquiring basketball knowledge during the JNF Camp, the folks of Tamale have been blessed with a borehole and basketball court, The Dr. Baba Sampanah Memorial Court, which is a legacy left behind by the donors, and for ages to come”.

Historically, Dr Baba is a late Ghanaian Basketball legend who in the years gone by, groomed a lot of youngsters in the sport, in Tamale.

It is instructive to add that FIBA Africa office in Abidjan provided balls for the camp, in line with its commitment in supporting basketball developmental activities across its jurisdiction.   

While developing, sharpening and rebooting their skills in the game, camp participants were also taken through valuable life skills and lessons; encouraged to network and built lasting friendships on the newly dedicated court whose Uprights were constructed by Nigeria’s and Africa’s own Opeyemi Babalola – Webber Engineering.

“The mission to promote youth development, healthy lifestyles, and community cohesion through sports were therefore pursued , and successfully achieved with flying colors”, a visibly excited Retd. Col Ahmedu asserted.

In his remarks, Daniel Isaacs, the Founder and CEO of New York Square, posited that, “it is a blessing to be part of this historic partnership, which I hope will serve as a model for the future of Sports in Africa”.He added that, “New York Square, in collaboration with FIBA Africa Zone 3 and the Jordan Nwora Foundation is dedicated to using sports as a vehicle to provide sporting infrastructure, as well as support, guidance and mentorship for the youths of Africa.

WNBA legend, Rushia Brown, who mentored  the youths during the camp remarked that, “it was such an honor to be part of the court dedication. To see the gratitude in the faces of the youths [in Tamale], and the opportunity of impacting their lives during the camp was life-changing for me. Our focus includes inculcating in the youths the benefits of clean water, healthy living and well-being, quality education and gender equality”.

Coach Alex Nworah added that, overall, he looks forward to more opportunities, to partner with organizations like New York Square, whose objectives are similar to the key objective of the Jordan Nwora Foundation”.

“This underscores why our Foundation has been collaborating with FIBA Zone 3 to run camps and uplift under privileged youths within the Zone with the support of FIBA Africa. Hence I am highly delighted with our unique collaboration with New York Square, which has provided an infrastructural legacy of a borehole and a basketball court for the benefit of  the youths and folks of Tamale. It is a win-win for all concerned and JNF looks forward to more similar partnerships across Africa”; the former Assistant Coach of D’Tigers of Nigeria added.

The final Word from Mr. Issah Maigah, Head of the Northern Region Basketball Association of Ghana sumed it all, “I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to New York Square organization led by Mr. Daniel Isaacs for constructing the first community basketball court and a borehole in Tamale, Ghana.  This humanitarian gesture has brought immense joy and opportunities to the local community and we are truly grateful for the thought and effort put into the project.

“I would also like to express my appreciation to Retd. Col Sam  Ahmedu for his tireless work on this project which is now a reality. His dedication and commitment to the development of basketball across Africa are truly inspiring. The new basketball court has provided a safe and accessible space for young people to engage in [profitable] physical activity as well as fostering a sense of community among the residents of Tamale. It is a testament to the power of collaboration and the positive impact that can be achieved through the efforts of organizations like New York Square, JNF and FIBA AFRICA ZONE 3, with support from our big brother GBBA”.

He also expressed his belief that the gesture and goodwill given to his community, will be extended to other localities, so that the end products of the unique collaboration is also felt across other FIBA Africa Zone 3 climes. “For all others who worked tirelessly to make this happen, thank you for your generosity and for making a positive difference in the lives of those around us”, Mr. Isaacs concluded.