NBA to open an office in Nairobi

By Peter Ochieng

The government of Kenya has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Hussein Mohamed, State House Spokesperson in a statement said that the partneship will see phenomenal development of basketball in Kenya.

Mohamed said the development will be three fold; among them opening of an NBA office in Kenya in November, 2023.

"School and community-based grassroots talent development under the Talanta Hela Initiative, including training of teachers as certified basketball coaches and scouts," said the former Citizen TV news anchor.

"Development of basketball infrastructure, including basketball courts in schools, communities and neighbourhoods, and an elite arena for hosting top-level competitions."

The MoU on Kenyan behalf was signed by Ababu Namwamba, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Sports, Arts and Youth Affairs.

"Our historic agreement with @NBA is yet another gamechanger in our relentless march towards the very top level in all sports disciplines. The Kenya basketball fraternity can look to a new dawn in talent and infrastructure development, bottom-up. This is the #BETA way #TalantaHela," said Namwamba.

Meg Whitman, US Ambassador to Kenya congradulated the CS after signing of the agreement.

"Congratulations @NBA and @AbabuNamwamba on signing a landmark agreement to develop basketball talent and infrastructure in Kenya," she said.

This week, president William Ruto appointed the Ababu to the United Nations (UN) Global Leadership Council of Generation Unlimited (GenU).

Generation Unlimited is a United Nations platform dedicated to promoting the interests and well-being of the world's youth.

He is currently on his first official duty as a member of the Global Leadership Council during the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UN) in New York.