Six African basketball players take centre stage for Nairobi last week as part of BAL Advance: Next Play, di Basketball Africa League athlete entrepreneurship programme wey dem dey run wit Afreximbank. Di initiative dey support current and former African basketball players to build ventures outside basketball.
For eight weeks, 35 athletes attend weekly workshops and one-on-one coaching to develop and refine dia business ideas. Six participants — Pol Mas (Kenya), Joan Mochiruku (Uganda), Derrick Ogechi (Kenya), James Mwangi (Kenya), Reem Moussa (Egypt) and Liam Reid (South Africa) — dem select for two-day immersion for Nairobi wey end wit di Athlete Entrepreneur Showcase on September 30.
For di showcase, each athlete pitch dia venture to investors, foundations and basketball industry leaders. Participants receive real-time feedback from industry experts and dem also visit Hoopspire Academy and Food 4 Education for Nairobi.
NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi talk say di programme dey help athletes prepare for opportunities for court and outside court. BAL Social Responsibility and Player Programme Lead Marie Laurence Archambault note say dis year edition don expand beyond former BAL players and BAL for Her participants to include players from national teams and local leagues.
