The National Basketball Association Africa and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) have highlighted the importance of Nigerian youths’ participation in the game for their mental health and wellbeing.

According to a release sent to SaharaReporters on Friday, the NBA Vice President and Head of NBA Nigeria, Gbemisola Abudu, stated this in Lagos State, at a two-day programme organised for secondary schools.

Audu noted that the initiative was to use basketball as a platform to promote social inclusion and inspire change in communities.

The two-day event which was the third season of the “Jr. NBA & AFD Basketball Experience” held at the National Stadium in Surelere, Lagos on September 10 and 11.

The event also included a symposium discussion which focused on the core values of the programme and a physical education teachers’ workshop.

The stakeholders took this opportunity to discuss mental health, hygiene and gender equality whilst building the capacity of teachers and enhancing the learning experience for students in their respective schools.

The notable attendees included the General Consul of France in Nigeria, Laurent Favier, AFD Country Director for Nigeria, Xavier Muron, and Vice President and Head of NBA Nigeria Gbemisola Abudu.

Over the past three years, the programme has reached more than 40,000 youth from 54 schools in Lagos through basketball clinics and life-skills sessions.

Speaking, Abudu said, “The Jr. NBA & AFD Basketball Experience has been essential in our commitment to make basketball more accessible to Nigerian youth and focusing on the importance of mental health, hygiene and gender equity.

“We would like to thank AFD for their support and look forward to continuing to expand our youth development efforts in the country.”

Also, Xavier Muron said, “At AFD, we believe that sport is a powerful drive for change, fostering social and economic progress. Therefore, our participation to the BE Program reflects our dedication in investing in youth, skills development, and the empowerment of communities.”

Meanwhile, speaking at the event, the General Consul of France in Nigeria Laurent Favier, noted that, “Over the past two years, with the financial support of the French Embassy, several initiatives have been launched to promote inclusion through sport across Nigeria. These efforts emphasise the transformative power of sport, not only as a tool for personal development but also as a means to foster inclusion, unity, and health across all communities.”