In Africa, the efforts of the NBA and BAL focus on raising awareness of gender-based violence, supporting girls ’education and growing women’s participation in basketball at all levels. The leagues use their individual platforms and resources to promote gender equality among fans and key stakeholders, and collaborate with corporate and community partners on new programs and capacity building initiatives that will help reduce the gender gap across the work of both leagues. In addition, the NBA and the BAL are seeking to work and partner with more African-owned enterprises across their business activities on the continent.
“Social responsibility has been an integral part of the NBA’s youth development efforts on the continent for more than three decades,” said NBA Africa President Victor Williams. “Having established the NBA Foundation and the National Basketball Social Justice Confederation in the U.S. and building on our extensive efforts to help create a more equal and equitable society, the NBA and BAL are each looking to deepen their responsibilities with partners, a community of leaders and other stakeholders to promote gender equality and create a more inclusive economic environment in Africa . ”
“The African Basketball League is committed to fighting the stereotypes, prejudices and obstacles that too often prevent women in Africa from realizing their dreams,” she said. BAL President, Amadou Gallo Fall. “These initiatives will help ensure that young girls and women across the continent have the opportunities and resources to help them grow on the court and in life.”
Specific activities and programming that the NBA and BAL will implement over the next three years include:
Tackling gender-based violence through educational workshops, participation in anti-violence campaigns, and by gaining the influence and leadership of league players;
Supporting girls’ education through the development of a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) sports curriculum for girls aged 14 and under, encouraging them to explore areas that prepare them for future employment ;
Ensuring more opportunities for women in BAL gameday operational positions, including referees, signaling board officers, game commissioners and callers;
Growing NBA and BAL partnerships and business relationships with African-owned small and medium enterprises.
The NBA has a long history in Africa and opened its African headquarters in Johannesburg in 2010. The opening night schedule for the 2020-21 NBA season featured 14 African players, and more than 100 regular players. was from or with at least one African parent. Through NBA Cares, the league’s global social responsibility program, the NBA family has created more than 90 places in Africa where children and families can live, learn and play safely.
The NBA Jr., the league’s world youth basketball program for boys and girls, has been implemented in 15 African countries. Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa, the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community reach program, was held 17 times, with 10 BWB Africa post-champions drafted into the NBA. In 2018, Project NBA and SEED opened the African NBA Academy, an elite basketball training center in Saly, Senegal, for the top male opportunities from across Africa and the first of its kind on the continent. Since then, nine African NBA Academy and NBA Africa Women’s Program participants have pledged to NCAA Division-1 schools in the USA
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