PeakNews Online
Since 2021, the Jordan Nwora Foundation (JNF), in collaboration with FIBA Africa Zone 3, has organized annual basketball camps for boys and girls aged 14-18.
Supported by FIBA Africa, these camps have been held in various cities, including Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), Accra (Ghana), and multiple locations in Nigeria such as Makurdi, Abuja, Lafia, Lagos, and Onitsha. These camps have been instrumental in discovering talents who have secured basketball scholarships to both foreign and local institutions.
In 2024, JNF conducted three camps in Port-Novo/Cotonou (Benin) from June 4-6, Tamale (Ghana) from June 14-16, and Awka (Nigeria) from June 21-23. The success of these camps has been enhanced through partnerships that provide logistics support at each location. A notable collaboration occurred during the Ghana camp, where New York Square constructed a basketball court and a borehole for the local community in Tamale. The Jordan Nwora Foundation supplied all the materials and managed the camp’s technical aspects with support from FIBA and the Ghana Basketball Association.
Commenting on the Ghana event, Col Sam Ahmedu (Rtd), President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, highlighted the significance of collaborative resource contributions, stating, “The construction of a borehole and basketball court for the local community opens up a new vista in youth development.” He added that the community of Tamale now benefits from both the newly acquired basketball skills and the permanent infrastructure of the Dr. Baba Sampanah Memorial Court.
Dr. Baba Sampanah was a renowned Ghanaian basketball legend who mentored many young athletes in Tamale. FIBA Africa’s office in Abidjan also supported the camp by providing basketballs, emphasizing their commitment to promoting basketball development.
Participants in the camps not only honed their basketball skills but also learned valuable life lessons and built lasting friendships on the new court. Nigeria’s Opeyemi Babalola, through Webber Engineering, constructed the court uprights. The camps aimed to promote youth development, healthy lifestyles, and community building through sports.
Daniel Isaacs, Founder and CEO of New York Square, expressed his gratitude for being part of this historic partnership, stating, “New York Square, in collaboration with FIBA Africa Zone 3 and the Jordan Nwora Foundation, is dedicated to using sports to provide structure, support, guidance, and mentorship for the youth of Africa.”
WNBA legend Rushia Brown, who mentored the youths during the camp, remarked, “It was an honor to be part of the court dedication. Seeing the gratitude on the youths’ faces and having the opportunity to impact their lives was life-changing for me. Our focus includes promoting clean water, health and well-being, quality education, and gender equality.”
Coach Alex Nwora emphasized the importance of partnering with organizations like New York Square, which share similar objectives. “Our Foundation’s collaboration with FIBA Zone 3 aims to uplift underprivileged youths within the Zone. The infrastructural legacy provided by New York Square in Tamale is a win-win for all concerned, and JNF looks forward to more similar partnerships across Africa.”
Issah Maigah, Head of the Northern Region Basketball Association of Ghana, extended his gratitude to New York Square for constructing the first community basketball court and borehole in Tamale. He also praised Col Sam Ahmedu for his dedication to the project and the overall development of basketball across Africa. Maigah concluded, “The new basketball court has provided a safe space for young people to engage in physical activity and foster a sense of community. This collaboration demonstrates the positive impact that organizations like New York Square, JNF, and FIBA Africa Zone 3 can achieve.”
Joe
