ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - The 2021 FIBA Africa Mini Basketball Forum hosted in Abidjan from August 11 to 14 gave children an unforgettable insight into the game of basketball and gave international Mini Basketball representatives the tools to develop Mini Basketball in their respective National Federations.

The continental happening brought together some 300 children, aged 8-12 from the host country, along with 37 local coaches and 11 international representatives from Cameroon, Niger, Togo, Comoros, Mauritania, Mali, and Senegal who are currently going through the FIBA Foundation's Virtual Mini Basketball Seminar.

 
300 children and 11 coaches were taught the basics of Mini Basketball

This forum, held with the collaboration of the FIBA Foundation, aims to enlighten the coaches about the implementation of Mini Basketball. During their stay in Abidjan, they were given the tools and taught the specific methodology to spark children’s interest in the discipline, while inculcating important values linked to basketball to both coaches and players.

Mini Basketball is a child's first experience with the game. Giving the right tools to the coaches will help them in making it an unforgettable one. On a wider scope, the forum's objective is to help "Enlarge the FIBA Family", one of FIBA's three main strategic pillars.

 
Youth in action as the basics are being taught

The four-day event was headlined by on-court sessions for the delegates and coaches, followed by games. The young participants played with size 4 and 5 Molten basketballs donated for the event which are specifically manufactured for that age group. They played on backstops adjusted to their size which made the games more enjoyable.

10 year-old player Niare said "I had a great time and lots of fun! My favorite part was the afternoon where we played fun games".

This forum plays an essential part in FIBA Africa's strategic development plan. The representatives will have to design and implement a Mini Basketball program once they get back to their respective National Federations. FIBA Africa and the FIBA Foundation will ensure a follow-up during the next 12 months.

The Mini Basketball forum is held according to FIBA's strategic plan for the 2019-2023 term, while in line with FIBA Africa's development program. Such events have been held in Morocco in 2018 and Namibia in 2019.

FIBA Central Board and FIBA Foundation Board Member Jean-Michel Ramaroson present for the event stated, "this forum confirms that children in the Mini Basketball category are our future. Africa is full of youth with potential on and off the court. This type of work should be continuously supported and developed".

The forum had a guest surprise this year, with Cote d'Ivoire national squad point guard Souleyman Diabate making an appearance in Abidjan in a bid to inspire the younger generation.

Souleyman Diabate made a guest appearance in Abidjan

Mozambique will host the next Mini Basketball forum. This time, it will be held for English-speaking National Federations.

About Mini Basketball:

The FIBA Foundation’s Mini Basketball program is a global Basketball For Good initiative to improve health and well-being of 5-12 year old children and to fight physical inactivity and childhood obesity. It is an inclusive grassroots basketball movement addressed to girls and boys and their parents and uses fun & game based learning. Please contact us if you want to know more about our programs or if you are interested to work with us.

FIBA