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Two Kenyan girls set to attend NBA camp in South Africa

The camp will be held at the American International school of Johannesburg with the duo is set to depart on Thursday.

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by TEDDY MULEI

Sports01 August 2024 - 02:00

In Summary


  • • Chelangat and Mayaka from M-Pesa Foundation Academy and Nairobi International School respectively, will be among 60 children from over 20 African countries at the event. 
  • • Notable instructors this year include Toronto Raptors point guard, Immanuel Quickley, Bruno Fernando of the Atlanta Hawks, and Moses Moody of the Golden State Warriors.
Nissi Mayaka (left) and Valentine Chelangat at the Nairobi International School

Valentine Chelangat and Nissi Mayaka are set to attend the 20th edition of the annual Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa camp planned for August 3-6.

The camp will be held at the American International School of Johannesburg with the duo set to depart on Thursday.

Chelangat and Mayaka from M-Pesa Foundation Academy and Nairobi International School respectively, will be among 60 teenagers from over 20 African countries at the event. 

Mayaka, who began her basketball journey at the age of seven,  hopes the camp will be a gateway to more success in her career.

“Having already represented Kenya in the Zone 5 Championships, I hope my participation in the BWB camp will open doors to a college scholarship abroad,” said Mayaka.

“I would also like to play in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) as well as for the Kenyan senior national team,” she added.

Chelangat, who hails from Kericho, has previously featured for Kenya U18 team in Uganda and her target is to play for the senior women's national team. She also hosts an annual Christmas clinic in Kayole, where underprivileged children get to learn  the sport.

NBA Africa's head of operations in Kenya, Michael Finley said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as these young athletes will receive top-notch training from some of the best coaches in the world and compete against the continent's finest talent.”

“We recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kenyan government during President Ruto's visit to our New York offices. This agreement aims to build basketball facilities in Kenya and advance the sport, focusing on Form 1 and Form 2 students,” he added.

Organized by the NBA and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the camp provides an unparalleled opportunity for participants to learn directly from current and former NBA, WNBA, and FIBA players and coaches.

Notable instructors this year include Toronto Raptors point guard, Immanuel Quickley, Bruno Fernando of the Atlanta Hawks and Moses Moody of the Golden State Warriors.

"We look forward to welcoming some of the most talented boys and girls from across the continent for four days of high-level basketball training,  competition and leadership development that will have a lasting impact on their on-court and personal journeys," said NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi.

The BWB Africa program has a history of nurturing top basketball talent, including 2022-23 NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid and 2019 NBA champion Pascal Siakam.


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