NBA Annouces The Formation Of Its Body In Africa

NBA Annouces The Formation Of Its Body In Africa By Uche Dozie The National Basketball Association (NBA) on Monday announced the creation of an extension of it entity in Africa, BSNSports.com.ng reports. The entity is to see to the NBA's business in the continent with regards to the African League and the ongoing Basketball African League in Kigali. The NBA have been in Africa for over a decade having its headquarter in Johannesburg, South Africa and it seeks to help "increase access to basketball and the NBA through grassroots and elite development, media distribution, corporate partnerships, NBA Africa Games, the launch of the BAL, and more." A statement from the NBA site says. The funding will contribute to the growth of the BAL, help expand the NBA’s presence in priority African markets and Africa’s basketball ecosystem, and deepen the league’s engagement with players and fans through initiatives such as the launch of additional NBA Academies and social responsibility initiatives that improve the livelihoods of African youth and families, including gender equality and economic inclusion efforts that the NBA and BAL announced in March. "The strategic investors include a consortium led by Babatunde “Tunde” Folawiyo, Chairman and CEO of Yinka Folawiyo Group; and Helios Fairfax Partners Corporation (HFP), led by Tope Lawani, Co-CEO of HFP and Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Helios Investment Partners (“Helios”), HFP’s investment advisor, The investors’ expertise in a wide range of industries and established relationships with African businesses, governments and NGOs will help accelerate the NBA’s growth across the continent.  Lawani and Folawiyo will also join the NBA Africa Board of Directors, which is led by NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams and includes NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum," The statement says.