Former President Barack Obama joins NBA Africa as strategic partner

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA and WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Countrywide Basketball Association (NBA) nowadays declared that former President Barack Obama has joined NBA Africa as a strategic associate.

President Obama will assist progress the league’s social obligation initiatives across the continent, which includes applications and partnerships that guidance higher gender equality and financial inclusion.  In this capability, President Obama will have a minority fairness stake in the new enterprise, which over time he intends to use to fund Obama Foundation youth and leadership plans throughout Africa.

NBA Africa conducts the league’s small business in Africa, such as the Basketball Africa League (BAL), which held its inaugural year in May perhaps that includes 12 of the top rated club teams from 12 African countries.  NBA Africa is focused on increasing the NBA’s existence in precedence African markets, deepening the league’s engagement with players and followers across the continent, and continuing to mature Africa’s basketball ecosystem by systems like the Jr. NBA, Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa and NBA Academy Africa.  In addition, NBA Africa has launched several social accountability initiatives aimed at boosting consciousness of gender-based mostly violence, supporting girls’ education and learning, and improving the livelihoods of African youth and families.

“The NBA has often been a fantastic ambassador for the United States—using the sport to make further connections all-around the earth, and in Africa, basketball has the electricity to market possibility, wellness, equality, and empowerment across the continent,” claimed President Barack Obama.  “By investing in communities, advertising and marketing gender equality, and cultivating the adore of the activity of basketball, I believe that that NBA Africa can make a variance for so lots of of Africa’s younger folks.  I’ve been impressed by the league’s motivation to Africa, together with the leadership revealed by so many African players who want to give back again to their possess nations and communities.  Which is why I’m proud to sign up for the group at NBA Africa and glance forward to a partnership that gains the youth of so several nations.”

“We are honored that President Obama has develop into a strategic spouse in NBA Africa and will help our huge-ranging endeavours to grow the game of basketball on the continent,” claimed NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.  “In addition to his well-documented adore for basketball, President Obama has a business belief in Africa’s opportunity and the enormous expansion possibilities that exist by sports activities.  NBA Africa will reward immensely from his engagement.”

“We have ambitious progress ideas for NBA Africa and owning President Obama join our efforts is a recognition that by means of sport, Africa can just take its rightful location on the globe phase,” explained NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams.  “We glimpse forward to operating with President Obama and our strategic buyers to use basketball as an financial progress engine across the continent and as a platform to enhance the wellbeing and wellness of a person of the world’s youngest and fastest-escalating populations.”

Strategic traders in NBA Africa consist of a consortium led by Babatunde “Tunde” Folawiyo, Chairman and CEO of Yinka Folawiyo Team, and Helios Fairfax Associates Corporation (HFP), led by Co-CEO Tope Lawani.  Additional investors in NBA Africa contain NBA Legends Junior Bridgeman, Luol Deng (South Sudan), Grant Hill, Ian Mahinmi (France ties to Benin), Dikembe Mutombo (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and Joakim Noah (ties to Cameroon).

The NBA has a a long time-prolonged historical past in Africa and opened its African headquarters in Johannesburg in 2010.  Considering the fact that then, the league’s efforts on the continent have centered on increasing access to basketball and the NBA through social duty, grassroots and elite progress, media distribution, company partnerships, NBA Africa Online games, the launch of the BAL, and more.

The inaugural BAL season was broadcast to enthusiasts in 215 countries and territories in 15 languages.  On Sunday, May well 30, Zamalek (Egypt) defeated US Monastir (Tunisia) 76-63 to win the to start with BAL Championship.  Fans can follow @NBA_Africa and @theBAL on Fb, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.