Your weekly dose of FIBA Africa Zone 4 News: The Gabonese Basketball Federation distributed sports equipment to enhance the practice of basketball in Gabon, In Cameroon the Ministry of Sports warmly welcomed the U18 Men and Women Team after impressive performances at the U18 AfroBaskets with a FIBA U16 Youth Camp to be Held in Douala, Cameroon from the 14-17th of October 2024.
Last Updated on
September 26, 2024
Elango Mbotona
Staff Writer
The Gabonese Basketball Federation recently distributed sports equipment including didactic material, jerseys and 600 balls. An action that is part of the vision of the highest Gabonese authorities including the Head of State, Brigadier General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, to make Gabon a great sports nation. The Basketball Leagues of Ogooué-Lolo, Ngounié, Haut-Ogooué, Ogooué-Ivindo and Nyanga, as well as 6 clubs and 15 coaches recently trained by FIBA were the first beneficiaries. In addition, other clubs and associations will also be provided with training materials.
The conference room of the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education served as the venue for the reception of the U-18 Girls and Boys national basketball teams of Cameroon after their brilliant performances in their maiden participation in the Afrobasket in Pretoria, South Africa. In a great atmosphere, the budding basketball players received encouragement from Minister of Sports and Pysical Education, Prof. Narcisse Mouelle Kombi:
It is with great happiness and satisfaction that I speak at the welcoming ceremony of the champions. Whether they are the vice-champions or the bronze medalists, both occupied a margin of the podium during the Afrobasket and we have to celebrate them for this.
Speaking during the ceremony, the 1st Vice President of the Cameroon Basketball Federation, Eric Niat said:
On behalf of the President of Fecabasket who is unable to attend due to professional constraints, I would like to express our deep satisfaction to the athletes and coaches of the Cameroon U-18 women's and men's national basketball team. They have shown us the full extent of their talent by winning the Silver and Bronze medals. They have thus deserved the hope placed in them. Even if, we remain convinced that with more work, they will be able to dazzle the world basketball scene. They have the potential to do so.
This marks a new page in the Cameroon youth basketball history, hoping to see brighter days ahead as they prepare for the U19 FIBA World Cup In Switzerland.
From October 14 -17, Cameroon will inaugurate the Japoma Arena in Douala by welcoming about fifty children (U16 Boys) from more than 20 African countries to participate in the FIBA AFRICA Regional Youth Camp.
The Regional Youth Camp is an elite program created in 2021 by FIBA in collaboration with the NBA. It is designed to identify and develop the best young African basketball players. It aims to improve the technical skills of young players and instill leadership values in them. This will be supervised by renowned experts of African Basketball. Alfred Aboya, coach of the Cameroon Men's national team and Head coach at the NBA Africa Academy in Dakar is expected to be among the supervising experts.
[Photography / Imagery Courtesy of FIBA ]