N'DJAMENA - Two former Chad internationals have launched a basketball youth academy in N'Djamena with the aim of preparing a new generation of players and boost the growing popularity of basketball in the country. 

Asnal Noubaramadje and Issa Nakoye, who starred for Chad at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, realised that youngsters in the country embraced the national team's effort in recent times, and therefore, they felt couldn't let the youngsters down.

The Dreams Come True Academy opened doors almost two years ago, and according to Noubaramadje, the project continues to go from strength to strength with dozens of teenagers attending their training camps on a regular basis.

"Our main goal is to give youngsters between the age of 6 to 18 the opportunity to learn the game of basketball, its modern technics, but, more importantly, they have a chance to stay in school," said Chad former captain Noubaramadje.

Asnal Noubaramadje is seen in action against Guinea

Dreams Come True Academy chairman Issa Nakoye, noted that: "According to recent enthusiasm for the national basketball team through international competitions, basketball is the team sport that is experiencing the strongest growth among young people in our country."

Ranked No.18 team in Africa, Chad have made tremendous progress in recent times, although the country's youth teams have become a no-show at Africa's youth major tournaments in over a decade.

"We are hoping to produce players that can represent our youth national teams in the next three years," Noubaramadje ensured.

"Our motto is "The game of basketball is a privilege, in order to practice/play it, you should have good grades in school," the Academy says.

Girls and boys as six-years-old have joined the project with many more expected to come on board, according to the Dreams Come True Academy.

"We are encouraged by the youngsters' enthusiasm and willingness to play the game, but some quit due to lack of modern infrastructures in our country," Noubaramadje explained. 

"As a poor country we have to build this kind of projects ourselves. We think that we can be our own change."

FIBA