MANAGUA (Nicaragua) – Basketball academies in Nicaragua are one of the main sources of sports education in the Central American nation.

In sports, its common for people to talk in terms of “someone’s child”, “someone’s parent”, and that's because basketball is a family sport. So much so those sports families can grow to the point of establishing a basketball academy. That's the case of basketball coach Pablo Buitrago, Sr. who, with a lot of sacrifices, teaches basketball to kids at Academia Steel. There are also other academies, like Onda Junior, led by Milton José Hernández Baquedano, former basketball player; and Academia Jazz, headed by former baller Jasser Jiménez.

Other efforts are also underway in rural regions in Nicaragua, such as the Academy at Nandaime, at Santa Teresa in Carazo, and the one in La Trinidad; where children, youth and maxi basketball leagues are in effect.

Academies intend to give a framework to children, help in the formative development of basketball in Nicaragua, and promote sports as an inclusive resource for young people – who are the future of the national Nicaraguan basketball teams.

With little, and sometimes with nothing, the truth is that sports promoters continue to make children dream with the practice of basketball.

The Luis Alfonso Velásquez Flores Park has become the core of children's basketball in the city of Managua. It's one of the main venues of the city, the stage for many other sports, and where boys and girls from all categories come to play basketball with their corresponding basketball academies from the Municipality of Managua.

“I continue with my passion for basketball. I love to teach that to children. Whatever I know I share with them,” said Pablo Buitrago, Sr. who, inspired by his son Pablo, Jr., created Academia Steel.

“I'm looking (to build) another mini basketball team. My son and his little teammates grew up. I want other boys to have the chance to play. Girls, too. We have the people and we have the passion,” added Buitrago, Sr., who assures that another one of the goals is to teach values to the children, such as studying habits, good manners, social etiquette, collaboration, as well as promoting sports as a way to have healthy fun.

Since 2016, Pablo Buitrago, Jr., aged 13; and Jorge Buitrago, aged 16, practice basketball at Academia Steel. Their love for the sport is rooted in Pablo’s father and Jorge’s uncle – Pablo Buitrago, Sr.

“Ever since he was a little child, I wanted Pablo to learn basketball, but it wasn't until he was seven when he started to grow interest. I bought him a mini basketball and when he turned 8, he was champion with the team of the Managua Municipality, who took him as a reinforcement to a 10-11 league. If Pablo continues to play in this discipline, I'm sure that he’ll play for the first division and the national team. It's easy to spot him in the court. He's restless, he has a great aim and a good dribble. He has a great sense of overcoming obstacles. He’s very passionate,” assured Buitrago, Sr., who are being assisted by Leonel Roa, who was an outstanding player in his youth. Now, they both play in Maxi Basketball together.

“Jorge is my nephew. When he’s focused on the game, he plays better than Pablito. Jorge has his ups and downs, but Pablo is always there, with all the energy. He stands out with his good defense,” he pointed out.

For his part, Milton José Hernández Baquedano, who has practiced sports all his life –first baseball and then basketball– never imagined that the latter would change the lives of many people in his native municipality of Ciudad Sandino, and all thanks to the creation of Academia Onda Jr., an initiative he leads with Jonny Rugama, the coach of the three categories of the academy.

"When I started to practice basketball in my neighborhood's court, no one practiced. But little by little, the youth at risk started to come and I started to make friends. These young people had problems with drugs, others were gang members, but they started to like basketball to the point that they asked me if they could play or if I could teach them,” said 35-year-old Milton.

And it was like this when team La Nueva Onda was born, the predecessor of Academia Onda Jr., that welcomes almost 60 athletes in the Junior, 12 and 13-year olds, and free categories.

“When I saw the change that could be achieved in the youth, I felt motivated. It’s something I can’t describe. Ever since I discovered that I like to help. My son Axel also practices basketball and that motivated me more,” added Milton, who played basketball until his years in college, where he studied Public Accounting and Finances.

“I know that it's a motivation for the children and that's a great satisfaction for me. That's why I make an effort. That's my mission and that’s how I contribute to society. I want kids to practice basketball, or that they at least get to know it,” pointed out Milton, who expects to build a female team soon.

Another active academy in Nicaragua is Juventud, Activa, Segura y Sana (Jass, for its Spanish acronym), established by former player and gold medal winner Jasser Jiménez in 2017, and that has teams in the U-21 and professional men's categories. Some 50 children attended the first day of the event, and that number continued to grow with time under the leadership of coaches Chester Linarte, Edwin Valdivia, José Ríos and Norland Ramírez.

"Most academy participants have played in several leagues in Managua, they have basketball knowledge, but they lack technical-tactical knowledge and that's what we want – to teach them how to play basketball. The goal is to teach them to play basketball and have doors open for them to relax and have fun,” said Linarte, coach at Academia Jass.

“This is an outdoors game where our mind is open to new experiences and to learn new things,” said Walter Buitrago, another participant in the basketball academies.

Luis Alfonso Velásquez Flores Park has become the center for children’s basketball in the city of Managua. It's one of the main centers in the city, and the stage for many other sports organized by the Municipality of Managua.

The capital city has basketball academies in the Luis Alfonso Velásquez Park and in the Hugo Chávez Frías Stadium at the 14 de Septiembre neighborhood. Every afternoon, coaches like Alvin Camacho, Omar Centeno, Jader Leiva, and Kathia Contreras teach kids the ABC’s of basketball.

It's also important to point out that the Municipality of Managua promotes basketball tournaments throughout the entire year, such as the Carlos Ulloa In Memoriam National Basketball Tournament for the past five years. This is an older category, but younger players are allowed to participate.

The U19 Carlos Ulloa In Memoriam National Basketball Tournament is currently in its regular phase. Meanwhile, the women's Luisa Amanda Espinoza In Memoriam Basketball Tournament and the Superior Basketball League (LSB, for its Spanish acronym) are running. The LSB is the only professional basketball league in Nicaragua that features six teams.

The Managua Municipality currently hosts a children's basketball league that’ll be preparing players for the U14 Central American Championship that is scheduled to take place in September in Nicaragua.

Nicaraguan basketball is a sport that's not only practice but also has a lot of fans, such as baseball, boxing, and soccer.

Nicaraguan academies fight to develop their youth, strengthen their teams for an upcoming league, and for the country's national teams. “The most important thing is to keep the youth busy to keep them away from addictions, and to foster an active and safe youth.” That's the idea and that’s all that matters.

FIBA