NBA Africa and ADS unveil renovated, solar-powered Basketball court in DRC

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BASKETBALL NBA Africa and ADS unveil renovated, solar-powered Basketball court in DRC

Abigael Wafula 19:30 - 02.07.2023

In celebration of the new court, NBA Africa and ADS will host a Junior NBA tournament for more than 200 youth at the court from Sunday, July 2 to July 3.

NBA Africa and Group Africa Development Solutions (ADS), a multinational company that designs and implements creative and innovative solutions for African business, on Saturday, July 1 unveiled a newly-renovated and solar-powered basketball court in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The court, which is located in Kinshasa’s Limete 7eme, is fitted with ADS’ Solektra solar-powered lighting system that will allow thousands of players from Kinshasa and surrounding communities to play late into the night.

The court was unveiled at a ceremony by NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams, ADS Founder and CEO Samba Bathily, Mayor of Limete Nathalie Alamba Liwoza Feza, and two-time NBA champion Didier Mbenga (DRC).

In celebration of the new court, NBA Africa and ADS will host a Junior NBA tournament for more than 200 youth at the court from Sunday, July 2 to July 3.

“Kinshasa is a city with a rich basketball tradition, as some of the NBA’s all-time greats from Africa, including Dikembe Mutombo, Didier Mbenga, Serge Ibaka, and Bismack Biyombo, started their basketball journeys right here at Limete 7eme.

ADS shares our vision of making the game more accessible across Africa, and refurbishing this solar-powered court in such an iconic location will provide more youth from the surrounding communities with a safe space to play the game at any time of the day,” said Williams.

Bathily added that ADS Group's collaboration with NBA Africa is a testament to their longstanding commitment to the development of youth and sports on the continent, after several other initiatives in West and Central Africa.

"Our dedication to empowering African communities and fostering positive change has been an integral part of our mission since the inception of ADS. We firmly believe that investing in the youth of the DRC is an investment in a brighter future for the country,” Bathily said.

ADS Group remains dedicated to utilizing innovative solutions to drive sustainable development in African nations, and their collaboration with NBA Africa underscores their commitment to empowering the youth, promoting sportsmanship, and nurturing talent in the DRC.

Mbenga is a two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers (2009-2010). A native of Kinshasa, he played for the Dallas Mavericks (2004-07), Golden State Warriors (2007-08), Lakers (2008-10), and New Orleans Pelicans (2010-11) during his seven-year NBA career.

The Jr. NBA is the league’s global youth basketball program for boys and girls that teaches the fundamental skills and core values of the game including teamwork, respect, determination, and community. It is focused on helping grow and improve the youth basketball experience at the grassroots level for players, coaches, and parents.

During the 2021-22 season, the Junior NBA reached 41.4 million youth in 160 countries through a network of affiliated youth basketball organizations as well as in-person and online events and clinics.

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