New dawn for Dar basketball

Dar es Salaam. Young basketball players will have a platform to grow their talents when the Junior NBA League starts at the Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (JMK) Park at the end of the month.
The league, which will be held under the watchful eye of the NBA, will bring together 30 school teams from Dar es Salaam with each expected to bear a name of the teams from the American giants.
Speaking during the official launch of the JMK Park on Saturday, NBA Africa managing director Amadou Gallo Fall said the league will be divided into Eastern and Western Conferences with the top eight teams from each conference qualifying for the playoffs.
According to him, the league, which marks a new dawn for Tanzanian basketball, will progress to the single elimination playoffs and the final will determine the champions.
Fall said apart from the junior league, the NBA will also host basketball clinics, train-the-trainer coaching sessions, life skills seminars and after-school programming at the Sports Park.
“Our aim is to develop the young talents in basketball so that they become future stars in the sport. We are determined to see the most talented players reach the dreamland and through this programme we are sure that Tanzania will reap the benefits,” he said.
He explained that the league leverages the excitement of the NBA and will inspire more young girls and boys to participate in basketball through a fun and positive experience with the sport.
Fall added that the league will also promote core values such as teamwork, leadership, fitness and healthy living through games and competition.

Centre of excellence
The facility will also feature a centre of excellence dedicated to improving the skills of young Tanzanian footballers.
The multibillion centre is scheduled to begin operations in January, 2016 and will feature a programme specifically designed by Sunderland AFC.
The centre of excellence programme is dedicated to improving the skills of young Tanzanian footballers.  Grassroot Soccer (GRS), whose work is dedicated to using sport to educate, inspire and mobilise youth to live healthier lives.
Witnessing Tanzanian youth learn about HIV and AIDS through football at the launch event, GRS partnerships manager Sarah Miller said: “Youth, when empowered, can change the world. When given the chance to grow, a willing ear to listen, and the power of constant support, the youth will create the world of the future.”