US sports diplomacy aims to build bridges across barriers
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Up to 100 youths have been brought together in a basketball camp in Port Harcourt organised by the United States Consulate General Lagos in collaboration with the Organised Basketball Network (OBN) Academy.
The youths are being taught life skills in the “Uplift African Youth Through Basketball” program and the next edition will soon be held in Lagos in the coming weeks.
The camp hosts 100 boys and girls aged 6-18 from underserved communities in Rivers who will learn from mentors, including alumni of US government exchange programs, about the sport, gender-based violence, entrepreneurship, and inclusion of marginalised communities.
The US Consulate says it is one of the ways Washington uses sports diplomacy programs to promote social inclusion and empower youths by providing them with team-building, leadership, and conflict-resolution skills.
US Consulate Deputy Public Affairs Officer Jennifer Foltz highlighted America’s commitment to empowering youths in underserved communities with valuable life skills through participation in sports.
She said the US Mission has organised many sports initiatives through the Sports Envoy program, which recruits passionate, articulate, community-oriented professional athletes from the US, to connect with communities in every corner of the world.
According to her, the US uses sports as the platform to build connections and to bridge cultural divides.
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Engaging youths on important topics
“Our sports programs are not just about sports, they are a way to engage people especially youths, on important topics. For our program today, the youth participants will learn about basketball, but also about gender-based violence and inclusion of marginalized communities.
“In addition, they will build their communication, leadership, and teamwork skills,” Foltz added.
Rivers Deputy Governor Ipalibo Banigo, who declared the camp open, congratulated the participants on their enthusiasm and involvement in the program and encouraged them to keep dreaming big.
She expressed satisfaction with the hard work demonstrated by the participants and conveyed appreciation to the US Consulate and OBN Academy, a local basketball institution founded by former NBA player Obinna Ekezie, for providing mentorship to the participants.
Ekezie said the basketball camp will provide the girls and boys with skills that will enable them to impact their communities positively, and the participants themselves will benefit from follow-on activities throughout the summer.
“Through this basketball camp,” he said, “we have been able to teach important life and sports values, such as respect, discipline, overcoming adversity, combatting gender-based violence and basic entrepreneurship skills.
“We made a lasting impact in Port Harcourt and we are grateful to the U.S. government for the partnership.”
Purpose of sports diplomacy
The basketball diplomacy project highlights the importance of sports and education for young people and promotes dialogue, tolerance, and respect for diversity.
The US Mission in Nigeria utilises sports diplomacy to build bridges and enhance people-to-people ties, as the universal passion for sports transcends socio-cultural and linguistic barriers and unites people.
