Off we go for the second edition of the « Fiba Africa Regional Youth Camp ». Organised by FIBA and the NBA, this camp which brings together more than forty young girls, opened its doors yesterday in saly.
FIBA and the NBA are organising in saly Port song, Mboura regional basketball camp for young African women aged 14 to 17 until October 20. This is the second edition of the « Fiba Africa Regional Youth Camp », but also the second time that Senegal hosts this event whose objective is to participate in the development of African basketball, through young people.
The particularity of this 2nd edition lies in the choice exclusively of more than forty girls from different countries. With a strong presence, Senegal has 11 participants. « Senegal is a basketball country with a very rich track record in girls. This is one of the reasons for the choice of Senegal once again. Even if we must note the availability and warm welcome that the Senegalese Basketball Federation and the local authorities have always reserved for FIBA and the NBA, » explained Franck Traoredevelopment officer at Fiba-Africa. He further asked African States to provide necessary resources to help the development of the discipline on the continent. « We need camps, but also international youth competitions. This is the only way to allow them to evolve and be tomorrow’s examples. »
President of Zone 2, Mrs. Rokhaya Pouye « Aya« , who presided over the opening ceremony of the camp, asked the girls to seize the opportunity offered to them to realise their dream. And reminded them of the enormous opportunity they have to reach certain stages of their career. « We weren’t so lucky when we played basketball. We learned it on the street. We were not fortunate enough to have camps as is currently the case with your generation. So, seize this opportunity and work hard to be examples of tomorrow, » advised the former Senegalese international and five-time African champion.
The president of the Senegalese Basketball Federation, Babacar I’m goingsaid he was « happy to welcome once again FIBA and the NBA to Senegal ». The Senegalese basketball boss hopes to see these girls « represent their country in international competitions » tomorrow. Accompanied mostly by female coachescoming from several corners of the continent, and from the United States, these girls will have the opportunity to be trained in the basics of basketball over three days. After Madagascar, last week, then Senegal, Morocco will have the honour of hosting, next week, the next stage which, like the first camp, will be mixed, organisers say.
By Woury DIALLO / [email protected]
- Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH
