Former US President Obama joins NBA Africa as minority owner
The association says it looking to grow Africa’s basketball ecosystem through programmes like the Jr NBA Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa and NBA Academy Africa, which is an elite basketball training centre based in Senegal.
CAPE TOWN, July 28 (ANA) – Former United States President Barack Obama, 59, has joined the NBA Africa as a minority owner and strategic partner, according to international media reports on Wednesday.
According to the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) official website, the NBA Africa is focused on expanding the NBA’s presence in priority African markets, by deepening the league’s engagement with players and fans across the continent.
The association says it looking to grow Africa’s basketball ecosystem through programmes such as the junior NBA, Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa and NBA Academy Africa, which is an elite basketball training centre based in Senegal.
The 44th US President has often publicly displayed his love for basketball, often shooting hoops at gymnasiums while he travelled the US during his tenure as head of state, and even during his election campaigns.
In this capacity, Obama will have a minority equity stake in the new venture, which over time he intends to use to fund Obama Foundation youth and leadership programmes across Africa, the NBA said in its statement.
Furthermore, NBA Africa has launched several social responsibility initiatives to raise awareness of gender-based violence, supporting girls’ education, and improving the livelihoods of African youth and families, it said.
“The NBA has always been a great ambassador for the US — using the game to create deeper connections around the world, and in Africa, basketball has the power to promote opportunity, wellness, equality, and empowerment across the continent,” Obama said, citing the NBA website.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Naomi Mackay