Paris: NBA Africa and EVOSPORT, a subsidiary of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), have initiated an effort to advance youth basketball in Morocco. The launch was announced during an event in Paris, marking a significant milestone in the promotion of the sport within the country.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the partnership between these entities will establish the first NBA basketball school in Morocco and initiate four Jr. NBA leagues. This initiative is described as the “largest youth basketball promotion program ever implemented by the League in the country.” The signing ceremony was held at UM6P France, with key figures such as UM6P President Hicham El Habti, NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum, NBA Africa Managing Director Clare Akamanzi, and Basketball Africa League (BAL) President Amadou Gallo Fall in attendance.

This collaboration will be executed by EVOSPORT in partnership with Act4Community, a part of the OCP Group ecosystem. They plan to launch four
Jr. NBA leagues, benefiting nearly 2,000 boys and girls under 18 annually in Khouribga, Gantour, Laayoune, and El Jadida. A basketball school will be established in each of these locations, and over 200 local coaches will receive specialized training programs.

Akamanzi, as quoted in the press release, highlighted the impact of past initiatives in Morocco, stating that they have sparked a widespread passion for basketball across the nation. She expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming African Basketball League games in Morocco and the opportunity to enhance basketball promotion efforts in the country, offering thousands of young Moroccans the chance to learn and play the sport.

El Habti also expressed his excitement about partnering with NBA Africa to bring this youth basketball program to Morocco, underscoring UM6P’s belief in the power of sport to inspire and develop young minds.

The press release notes that this project continues the collaboration between NBA Africa and OCP Group, which has previously estab
lished Jr. NBA leagues in Benguerir and Khouribga. To date, NBA Africa’s basketball promotion programs have reached over 100,000 Moroccan youths and coaches.