NBA Africa and Opportunity International have unveiled a new outdoor basketball court at Loiswell Academy in Nairobi, marking a major step toward enhancing youth development through sports in Kenya.
The court was inaugurated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by NBA Kenya Country Operations Lead Michael Finley, Opportunity International Board Member Ken Wathome, Opportunity EVP Randy Kurtz, and former NBA player Hasheem Thabeet.
The event featured a Jr. NBA/WNBA clinic for 100 youth athletes under 16, as part of NBA Africa’s goal to build 1,000 basketball courts across Africa over the next decade. Of these, 100 are planned for Kenya.
“This initiative is about providing a safe space for youth to grow through basketball. Our goal is to create opportunities and use the power of sport to transform lives,” said Finley.
Ken Wathome noted that through this partnership, young people will learn crucial life skills like discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, skills essential to success both on and off the court.
Thabeet praised the project as a “stepping stone” for nurturing young talent, urging students to make the most of the new facility.
Written By Rodney Mbua
