NBA has opened its fifth African office in Kenya.
It seems to be a new beginning for Basketball in Kenya as the National Basketball Association launches its new office in Nairobi. A launch event was held on Wednesday evening at the Sankara Hotel, attended by several dignitaries, including 5-time NBA champion Ron Harper, NBA Africa Chief Executive Officer Victor Williams, and Basketball Africa League President Amadou Gallo Fall, etc.
The East African reports that Harper paid a courtesy call to President William Ruto at State House earlier that day. He also conducted a Basketball Clinic for 70 budding basketballers at Sabis International School, Runda. US Ambassador to Kenya Margaret Whitman was also in attendance.
In his statement, Ruto said, “Professional Basketball promises to enhance talent commercialization and transform the lives of our youth.”
Harper says, “A few years from today, I would like to see some of these players get to the junior academies and get a chance to become future NBA players. I always say that in the next five to ten years, there will be a lot of great players from Africa, not only in Kenya.”
About opening an office in Kenya, William said the office was opened because the country has “a great basketball potential,” which makes it a priority market for the NBA. The NBA has also opened offices in Egypt, Senegal, South Africa, and Nigeria.
