FIBA Basketball

    Machanguana launches Jr. NBA league In Mozambique

    Clarisse Machanguana may have retired from her playing career two years ago when she helped her native Mozambique reach the Semi-Finals of AfroBasket Women 2013, which granted automatic qualification fo

    MAPUTO - Clarisse Machanguana may have brought her playing career to a close two years ago, but she remains as much committed to the future of the game in Mozambique as ever.

    Machanguana, the most renowned Mozambican basketball player, helped her country reach the Final at AfroBasket 2013 played on home soil, a result which qualified the team for the 2014 FIBA Women's World Championship.

    The 1.95m center did not travel with the team to the Turkish capital of Ankara, where her team-mates faced Canada, France and hosts Turkey in the preliminary-round.

    Machanguana is now back in the spotlight again.

    Almost a year since it was launched, the Machanguana Foundation (FCM) teamed up with the National Basketball Association (NBA) to unveil the "Junior NBA FCM League" in Mozambique's capital city of Maputo.

    The league is aimed at around 450 girls - between the ages of 12 and 14 - from 30 local schools, and will give the youngsters the opportunity to develop their basketball skills through healthy competition.

    In a statement, FCM explained that the league is exclusive to girls, and "leverages the excitement of the NBA and is modeled to inspire more young girls to participate in basketball through an exciting experience with the sport.

    "The league will also promote core values such as teamwork, leadership, fitness and healthy living through competitive games."

    Machanguana played in the WNBA for the Los Angeles Sparks (1999-2000) and the Charlotte Sting (2001) before finishing her career in the league with the Orlando Miracle (2002).

    She retired from the national team following Mozambique's defeat to Angola in the Final of AfroBasket 2013 in Mozambique's capital city Maputo.

    Even after Mozambique fell short at the 2012 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament to book a place at the 2012 London Olympics, Machanguana stressed the need to give youngsters a chance.

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    Find out more about the Clarisse Machanguana Foundation (FCM) by going to  fcmachanguana.org/pt/

    FIBA