3,000 Youth Benefit from New Basketball Court in Koumassi

Wave Côte d’Ivoire and the Basketball Africa League inaugurated a renovated basketball court and classrooms at the Groupe Scolaire Lac in Koumassi on Oct. 3, 2026, creating a dedicated space designed to serve roughly 3,000 young players each week.

Transforming School Grounds in Koumassi

Located within the Groupe Scolaire Lac in the commune of Koumassi, the site directly serves 2,500 students drawn from eight local educational institutions alongside 500 other community youths who practice there weekly. The project follows a similar community court renovation carried out by Wave Côte d’Ivoire at the 4 Paniers facility in Yopougon in 2025.

Local sports officials, educational leaders, traditional chiefs, and basketball enthusiasts attended the official opening ceremony on a Saturday. In addition to the outdoor court, renovation crews repaired several classrooms within the school complex to support the surrounding educational environment.

New Court Hosts Youth Development and League Competitions

The upgraded infrastructure supports an ambitious operational schedule managed in collaboration with basketball authorities. The court will host a specialized development initiative targeted at 300 girls under the age of 18. The facility will also serve as the weekend home for Under-18 youth league competitions every Saturday, providing young athletes with a structured competitive platform to hone their skills.

Wave Côte d’Ivoire Managing Director Katier Bamba noted that the initiative aims to build lasting community impact amid a rising appetite for the sport across the country. He explained that the court gives young players professional-grade space while functioning as a neighborhood hub for youth empowerment.

NBA Africa Aims to Build 1,000 Continental Courts

The Koumassi project contributes directly to a broader continental undertaking spearheaded by NBA Africa to build or renovate 1,000 basketball courts across Africa. Basketball Africa League President Fall Amadou Gallo emphasized that the initiative grants young people physical spaces where they can pursue their athletic aspirations. Gallo thanked the Fédération Ivoirienne de Basketball for organizing coach training programs to ensure proper local supervision.

Fédération Ivoirienne de Basketball President Moussa Diarra praised the partnership and committed to maintaining the infrastructure. Diarra announced that the federation intends to host official championship matches directly on the Koumassi court, embedding the community facility into the national competitive calendar.