Kenyan coaches laud NBA Africa training

A two-day junior coaches' training for 20 basketball coaches concluded at the newly built Kenya Academy of Sports Basketball courts at Kasarani.

In an agreement with the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, NBA Africa agreed to help with coaching development, player development, and elite player development, as well as help develop basketball facilities.

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NBA Africa through the Kenya office has begun with the rehabilitation of the courts at Kasarani and then a two-day coaches training workshop conducted by Junior NBA coaches’ instructor, O’Karo Akamune.

“We have recruited coaches with the help of the Red Cross and our partners AFD. The coaches are key to this game and the industry of basketball evolving in Kenya. That’s the foundation and that’s where we have to start. These young men and women will help us run this programme and hopefully many other programmes and recruit many other coaches in the country. This is just the beginning,” said Michael Finley, the Kenya Country lead, NBA Africa.

The NBA Africa director of basketball operations Kita Matungulu says the idea is to penetrate the deepest areas and provide access to the game. The Junior NBA ran a programme back in 2018 that was stopped by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kita says most schools in Kenya have a basic basketball court but with limited productivity.

NBA now wants to work with the relevant stakeholders to build a solid foundation to produce a product that has its values centered in Kenya as the country remains the number one economy in the eastern part of Africa and one of the top economies in Africa.

“When we did basketball without borders over the years, we have seen young talents from Kenya come and prosper. We believe with the sustained programme of training coaches and continuity of the activities and high-level coaching, the level of the game can be pushed to a level where Kenya becomes a basketball force in Africa,” Kita elaborated.

NBA wants to have an impactful programme in scouting so that players prosper to the next level. Skills level programme is another target as Kenya has natural athletic players but with no skills. The follow up will be in competitions and activities related to the exposure of players.

“It is a process that goes step by step, but it starts with the foundation of scouting and coaches that are active,” explained Kita.

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Fabrice Simon, one of the participants says the training has been an eye opener as there is a lot that needs to improve.

"There is room to get better. We have done some technical training but the execution is still wanting. However, the biggest take way has been how to handle players with communication to the players, especially the young ones, key," he explained.

On her part, Susan Nyambura says that the training has not only helped them with skills but also facilities that will help grow the sport.

“We are getting more courts, especially along Thika road and that's good for the teams here. I am hoping we have more of such great projects in future," Nyambura offered.