ANTANANARIVO (Madagascar) - After 3 successful years, the International Basketball Foundation's (IBF) first Basketball For Good project has come to an end. However, its legacy will last for many years to come.

The IBF worked with the National Basketball Federation of Madagascar to find the best way in which Basketball could be used to help the local communities.

"This project has proven that basketball is a great tool to further social development."
- Domoina Rakotomanga

The project was launched in 2016 in 2 schools of Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo (EPP Antsararay and CEG 67 ha). 50 girls and 50 boys from each school were given basketball training. Additionally, a school canteen was put into place to serve the schools. In total, 672 children benefited from the program.

Each year, 250 school kits including backpacks, notebooks, pens were given to the children. The mother of Tsiresy, a child in the program, stated that the school kits and the canteen were a great financial help as she has 8 children to provide for.

CEG 67 ha director, Jocelyne Rakotoanosy, witnessed the children on the program thriving on and off the court. Results in their national school scores have gone up and they have taken part in various inter-school tournaments. The project has also given new perspectives to her students.

After 3 years, the IBF’s involvement has ended but the project has left a legacy.

Madagascar National Basketball Federation Executive Secretary Domoina Rakotomanga assures that for the 2 schools, learning and education via basketball continues.

"Beyond the sport itself, children have learned to develop other fundamental values such as respect for themselves and other, friendship and excelence."- Malagasy Basketball President and Central Board Member Jean-Michel Ramaroson

 For the CEG 67 ha, the basketball training sessions continue every Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning and are led by 3 coaches and the site manager. In addition to the children of the school, other children living nearby are also taking part. Currently there are around 60 children per training, girls and boys combined. The CEG will continue being represented in school school sports in 2020.

For the EPP Antsararay, coach Donna, who is also a school teacher, continues to supervise the basketball sessions on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, for children in the 8th and 7th class. He is assisted by a new basketball teacher Mr Aro. Additionally, every morning from 7 to 8, there is a basketball physical education session on the field. The school is in full preparation to take part in the 2020 school sports.

Both schools continue to mobilize their kids through basketball, using it as an effective aid to education.

For a lot of the children taking part in the project, basketball has become an integral part of their life. Former EPP Antsrararay student, Erica, has gone on to further education after successfully passing her exams. She joined a basketball club to keep on playing the sport.

Rabe Sandra Fabrice is a PE teacher at CEG 67 ha. Through the project he was able to take part in training courses and is now a basketball coach. He is now fully integrated in the school as a coach and was able to create a club. He is committed to continuing the efforts started by the IBF project.

EPP Antsararay director, Sahondra Ramanandraisoa, explained that the project has helped developed the children’s physical and intellectual abilities. The students also have better relations with one another.

She also stated that through the project, the school now has better infrastructures, namely a brand new court and restrooms. 

Domoina Rakotomanga concluded, “if we take basketball out of its sports context, the game can be an educational tool for the children. Furthermore, this project has proven that basketball is a great tool to further social development".

FIBA