The Basketball Artists School celebrates its 10th anniversary in Namibia
WINDHOEK (Namibia) - The Basketball Artists School (BAS) in Windhoek, Namibia, supported by the German Basketball Association (DBB) and the International Basketball Foundation (IBF), celebrated its 10th anniversary on February 22. The BAS Foundation is an after-school program for less-privileged children and youth in Windhoek-Katutura, Namibia with a focus on education, life skills and basketball.
The school offers an afternoon program for disadvantaged children and adolescents from the Katutura township. In addition to lunch, there are daily tuition, life skills and basketball. Since 2010, over 60 children and adolescents benefit yearly from the BAS, the oldest are now studying at a university. Hundreds of children and teenagers also take part in the open basketball offerings, and there are now several similar basketball programs in Namibia.
DBB President, FIBA Treasurer and IBF Board Member Mr Ingo Weiss attended the event to personally congratulate BAS for the work they have done. He said: "10 years of BAS in Namibia! It's a great thing. The DBB has supported the project from the start and the IBF added their support 4 years ago, and when I look around here today, I know that our commitment is worthwhile. Bright children's eyes are the best proof of this".
Celebrating 10 years of changing lives was the theme at the recently celebrated 10-year anniversary at the Basketball Artists School (BAS). The two-day celebration was held from 21st to 22nd February 2020.
Posted by Basketball Artists School on Sunday, February 23, 2020
In addition to Weiss, there was also Mr Joachim Spägele, who among other things is the chairman of the BAS Foundation based in Freiburg. On behalf of the association, he presented a symbolic cheque of €10,000 in the presence of, among others, Namibia's Minister of Sport Mr Erastus Uutoni, Mayor Fransina Kahungo and the Chairman of the Namibian Friends' Association, Dr. Vetumbuavi Veii.
The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) who have supported the BAS practically from the start were also part of the celebration. Former DOSB CEO Dr. Michael Vesper was present. He is now the patron of the “Future for Children in Slums” foundation, which has also been committed to school since 2018.
The IBF has been supporting BAS for the past 4 years, ensuring the school had the necessary infrastructure and equipment to run efficiently. The BAS also hosted the first English-speaking African Mini Basketball Convention with many BAS students ensuring the event's success and its continuous impact throughout the region.
One of BAS's success stories, Petrina Aron was showcased in our BasketballForGood campaign during the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
NBA legend, international star, and FIBA Players Commission Chairman, Mr Dirk Nowitzki, also presented a short message via video for the BAS anniversary.
BAS founder Mr Frank Albin was pleased with the response to the anniversary: “I am impressed by how many people are now working for BAS. Together we hope that BAS will continue to exist for another 10 years, despite the currently very difficult economic conditions in Namibia. ”
Further information on the BAS can be found at www.basketball-artists.com
FIBA
