NBA Africa is exploring opportunities by making the game of basketball accessible to young people and partnering with local brands as well as creating strong associations in order to raise the profile of the sport in the continent.
NBA vice president for development in Africa, Amadou Gallo Fall said there is tremendous opportunity for the game of basketball in Africa and Nigeria's long history of the game makes the country more relevant in the continent.
Nigeria's Hakeem Olajunwon is one of the greatest players of all time and such reference makes the country a potential basketball nation but a lot of structural and administrative efforts must be put in place for the game to grow.
Speaking at a media parley in Lagos, Gallo Fall from the NBA office in Johannesburg, South Africa stated that the NBA for Africa is to grow basketball in the continent and Nigeria is the centre of its Pan African initiative.
He said Nigeria must focus on grasroots development and use the USA model to create a platform for the youth who have the talent to start and play the game to the highest level.
The NBA chief explained that programmes such as "basketball without borders" which is in its 11th season, the sports envoy programme and the three X 3 on 3 competition will held between now and October and will be used to grow the game rapidly in Nigeria.
One of the problems facing the dunking and slamming game in Nigeria is getting the stands filled during local competitions, league or international matches, Former Nigerian NBA star, Obinna Ekezie said the Fan base must be built and it starts with parents and families of the players.
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