KFC Africa & Serge Ibaka to Empower Youth through Basketball & investing in Africa’s community courts
By Thandisizwe Mgudlwa
Pan African Visions
The average age in Africa is 19 and sport, specifically basketball,
is a passion point for more than 100 million fans across the continent.
In recent years we have seen the number of African players rising on the
international circuit, providing inspiration and impetus for many young
people dreaming of becoming the next global basketball all-star, so
says Emmanuel Kasambala, KFC Marketing Director, Rest of Sub-Saharan
Africa.
“For us it’s about
developing our home continent’s youth – giving them the facilities and
safe spaces to use their talents and grow their skills. It is for this
reason that we are refurbishing and building
basketball courts within communities in key markets.”
KFC
Africa, the most loved fast-food brand in 23 markets across the
continent, is partnering with Serge Ibaka, of the Milwaukee Bucks, to
enable and uplift the continent’s youth and communities, whilst growing
grass-roots basketball.
Following on from KFC Africa’s announcement about its partnership with NBA Africa, the brand has even bigger plans for the game.
The
first of these basketball courts was recently built and donated in
Kenya, as a result of a partnership between KFC and the Jonathan Jackson
Foundation (JJF).
Moreover,
this was initiated under the Bakee Mtaani (‘basketball in the hood’)
initiative, at the Humama Public Grounds in Kayole Community, and also
sees youth within the community benefitting from basketball equipment
and coaching programmes at the new court.
In
addition to this, a significantly positive spin-off was that the
construction of the court resulted in jobs for more than 50 skilled and
unskilled youths.
And with
regards to the courts initiative specifically, this is just the
beginning – ambitious plans are underway for another 11 courts in Kenya
in coming months, as well as additional projects in other
markets including Botswana, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal and Tanzania among others.
“We
are also extremely excited about our epic collab with Serge Ibaka – an
African basketball legend – to further highlight the strength and
potential of the game. It goes without saying that Serge is a true
inspiration to our youth, and by joining forces, we accelerate growth
and development for the stars of the future.”
Born
in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, Serge is a three-time NBA
All-Defensive First Team selection and has twice led the league in
blocks. In 2019, he won his first NBA championship as a key member of
the Toronto Raptors.
Adding
to these impressive basketball credentials, Serge is also personally
invested in uplifting and developing the youth, through his own Serge
Ibaka Foundation, that focuses on issues of children’s
health and education, and the Serge Ibaka Dreams Academy, that focuses on giving back through basketball.
In
adding his perspective, Serge Ibaka says, “The talent that Africa is
producing is just amazing and my goal is to inspire them and to
contribute to ensure that the next generation is given every
opportunity
to shine in the game I love. I am very proud to be able to partner with
KFC Africa to give more back to my home continent. Having basketball
courts in their local communities, close to young players, is a huge
advantage in helping them to develop their basketball and life skills.”
KFC
Africa believes in fueling the passion-points of the young, and young
at heart, by connecting at the touch-points that mean something across
its markets.
Kasambala
concluded, “With Serge being such an icon in the game, it made perfect
sense for us to take up the opportunity to partner with him to bring our
brand’s support of basketball to life. Additionally, it is through
initiatives like this that KFC Africa aims to see more young players
from Africa level up both on and off the court, whilst creating a
lasting legacy for generations to come.”
