SPORT and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula will use the All Stars festivities this weekend to brainstorm ideas with the National Basketball Association on how to develop the sport in South Africa.
The All Stars festivities, which involve some of the big-name basketball stars in Orlando in the US, begin tomorrow. Mbalula will join President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and other ministers responsible for sport and recreation in Africa.
He will be accompanied by Bafokeng Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi, Royal Bafokeng Sport chairman Cliff Ramoroa and managing director Floyd Mbele. Basketball South Africa president Malesela Maleka will also be part of the delegation.
Mbalula's spokesman Paena Galane said the visit to Orlando emanates from the interaction between the minister and the NBA in the US last August.
The discussions resulted in the signing of a broadcasting agreement between the South African Broadcasting Corporation and the NBA.
Galane said: "Subsequently, NBA Africa has been established and is fully operational in South Africa. This is a remarkable milestone in the development of basketball as a sporting code in South Africa."
Besides taking part in the NBA festivities, Mbalula will meet the South African ambassador to US, former Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool.
"The purpose of the meeting is to discuss future and recent developments with regards to basketball relations between South Africa and the US," Galane said.
Basketball is also part of the 16 School Sport codes identified for development this year as part of the school sport revival programme announced by Mbalula.
"The NBA Africa is currently working with the Royal Bafokeng Nation and Basketball SA in the development of the sport in the province of North West," Galane said.
"As part of the development of the programme, Basketball SA has already invited schools to register for the National Schools Competitions and the feeding of the players into the talent pathway.
"NBA Africa has been instrumental in the Basketball without Borders initiative, which has seen some of our basketballers in Africa participating in the elite sport in the US.
There is also talk of the All Star team visiting SA prior to the SA Sports Awards.
"Basketball is a lifestyle sport which South Africa will invest heavily in, ensuring our young people participate."
Mbalula off to NBA All Stars
SPORT and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula will use the All Stars festivities this weekend to brainstorm ideas with the National Basketball Association on how to develop the sport in South Africa.
The All Stars festivities, which involve some of the big-name basketball stars in Orlando in the US, begin tomorrow. Mbalula will join President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and other ministers responsible for sport and recreation in Africa.
He will be accompanied by Bafokeng Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi, Royal Bafokeng Sport chairman Cliff Ramoroa and managing director Floyd Mbele. Basketball South Africa president Malesela Maleka will also be part of the delegation.
Mbalula's spokesman Paena Galane said the visit to Orlando emanates from the interaction between the minister and the NBA in the US last August.
The discussions resulted in the signing of a broadcasting agreement between the South African Broadcasting Corporation and the NBA.
Galane said: "Subsequently, NBA Africa has been established and is fully operational in South Africa. This is a remarkable milestone in the development of basketball as a sporting code in South Africa."
Besides taking part in the NBA festivities, Mbalula will meet the South African ambassador to US, former Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool.
"The purpose of the meeting is to discuss future and recent developments with regards to basketball relations between South Africa and the US," Galane said.
Basketball is also part of the 16 School Sport codes identified for development this year as part of the school sport revival programme announced by Mbalula.
"The NBA Africa is currently working with the Royal Bafokeng Nation and Basketball SA in the development of the sport in the province of North West," Galane said.
"As part of the development of the programme, Basketball SA has already invited schools to register for the National Schools Competitions and the feeding of the players into the talent pathway.
"NBA Africa has been instrumental in the Basketball without Borders initiative, which has seen some of our basketballers in Africa participating in the elite sport in the US.
There is also talk of the All Star team visiting SA prior to the SA Sports Awards.
"Basketball is a lifestyle sport which South Africa will invest heavily in, ensuring our young people participate."
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