National Basketball Association (NBA) Africa, in partnership with Africell, a leading mobile network operator in Africa, yesterday unveiled an exciting addition to Luanda, Angola: an indoor basketball court located at 1˚ de Maio on Av. Deolinda Rodrigues. The unveiling marks the beginning of a multiyear partnership aimed at utilizing basketball to positively impact the youth of Angola.
The newly opened court, gifted to and managed by the city of Luanda, will serve as a secure space where local community members can enjoy basketball year-round and serve as a venue for future Jr. NBA events and programs.
The momentous occasion saw the court revealed by Jorge Vazquez, CEO of Africell Angola, and Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa. They were joined by Aginaldo Neto, a promising Angolan talent from the NBA Academy Africa, currently signed with Petro de Luanda for the upcoming 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL) season under the BAL Elevate program. Neto, who previously engaged in the Jr. NBA program in Angola, symbolizes the potential for growth and development within the local basketball community. To commemorate the occasion, the court hosted two exhibition games featuring men's and women's teams from the area.
Jorge Vazquez, CEO of Africell Angola, remarked, "The partnership between Africell and NBA Africa is making a significant impact by increasing accessibility to basketball for young Angolans. Basketball holds a special place in Angolan culture, and this new facility extends its reach to aspiring players."
“By making basketball more accessible to young Angolans, the partnership between Africell and NBA Africa is having a big impact,” said Africell Angola CEO Jorge Vazquez. “Basketball is an important part of Angolan popular culture, and this new facility brings it into the reach of more potential players."
In addition to the court unveiling and exhibition games, last week, NBA Africa and Africell held a Jr. NBA clinic in Lubango for 250 boys and girls ages 18 and under. Last year, NBA Africa and Africell held Jr. NBA clinics, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, as well as a Her Time to Play basketball clinic and leadership workshop for 200 girls ages 16 and under and 20 female basketball coaches.
The new court also builds on NBA Africa’s previous initiatives in Angola, including hosting Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa in Luanda in 2016 and a Jr. NBA league in Luanda in 2017 and 2018. BWB, the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program, has reached nearly 100 Angolan boys and girls since its launch in Africa in 2003.
Angola’s Petro de Luanda is representing the country in the 2024 BAL season for the fourth consecutive time.
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