Published on : 28/07/2021 – 03:36
NBA), a annoncé la NBA ce 27 juillet 2021. L’ancien président des États-Unis (2008-2016), passionné de basket, aura également une participation minoritaire dans NBA Afrique.">
Barack Obama will join the Africa branch of the North American Basketball League (NBA), announced the NBA on July 27, 2021. The former president of the United States (2008-2016), passionate about basketball, will also have a minority stake in NBA Africa.
On February 16, 2019, in Charlotte in the South-East of the United States, the North American Basketball League (NBA) announced the creation of a competition in Africa co-organized with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA): Basketball Africa League (BAL). During the launching ceremony of the BAL, Adam Silver, the boss of the NBA, created the surprise by indicating that Barack Obama was going to get involved in African basketball, in a role still to be defined.
Since ? Nothing. Until July 27, 2021. The former president of the United States will finally work alongside NBA Africa as ” strategic partner ».
A generic qualification. In fact, Barack Obama will not get involved in the sporting aspect but in particular in cases of economic inclusion through basketball and campaigns to promote gender equality on the continent.
Obama will have minority stake in NBA Africa
« President Obama to help advance league social responsibility efforts across the continent, provides a press release. As such, President Obama will own a minority stake in the new company. [NBA Afrique, Ndlr], which he intends to use over time to fund the Obama Foundation’s youth and leadership programs across Africa ».
Barack Obama is known for his great passion for basketball. During his two terms, from 2008 to 2016, he often displayed his support and admiration for the stars past (Michael Jordan) and present (LeBron James, Stephen Curry, etc.) of the NBA.
« The NBA has always been a great ambassador for the United States – using the game to forge deeper connections around the world, and in Africa, basketball has the power to promote opportunity, well-being, l equality and empowerment across the continent », Assured Barack Obama, in a press release.
In May 2021, after several months of postponement, the first edition of the BAL took place in Kigali.
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