Abidjan Hosts Training Camp for Aspiring Basketball Coaches as FIBA Africa Development Plan Takes Shape

Abidjan Hosts Training Camp for Aspiring Basketball Coaches as FIBA Africa Development Plan Takes Shape

In Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, FIBA Africa organised a dynamic initiative—a training camp aimed at nurturing the next wave of basketball coaches. The seminar took place from March 11th to 13th, 2024, bringing together aspiring coaches from 11 African countries for a transformative learning experience.

WABC experts Cheikh Sarr from Senegal and Nour Amri from Morocco oversaw this educational journey. The experienced playcallers generously shared their wealth of expertise with a cohort of 16 enthusiastic participants, each representing a country as diverse as Cameroon, Madagascar, Cote d'Ivoire, and Chad.

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FIBA Africa, recognising the importance of enhancing instructional skills within national federations, has prioritised a paradigm emphasising quality over quantity.

Coach Sarr succinctly articulated this ethos, emphasising the meticulous selection process to ensure that only the most deserving candidates ascend to the role of coaches.

"It is our mandate to furnish optimal training to our candidates. If we wrongly train 20 instructors, who in turn wrongly train 2000 players, the impact will be so negative for the basketball narrative," he passionately stated.

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At the heart of their mission is the development of a skilled group of instructors ready to drive basketball's advancement across the continent.

"Our endeavour is noble, poised to yield a transformative impact on African basketball," Coach Sarr emphasised, underscoring the ripple effect of imparting knowledge.

After returning to their home countries, these newly trained instructors create solid structures for coaching development within their national federations. Notable among them are figures like Yves Murenzi, instrumental in Rwanda's podium success at AfroCan 2023, and Alfred Aboya, a veteran play caller of Cameroon's national team and a shining example of coaching prowess at NBA Academy Africa.

Reflecting on the culmination of their intensive training, Lazare Andingono, one of the participants, spoke of a profound sense of fulfilment.

"Initially fraught with apprehension, the instructors adeptly nurtured our confidence, elucidating the roadmap ahead," he reflected.

A crucial juncture was reached as the 16 aspiring coaches underwent a rigorous examination. The results are eagerly anticipated, marking the beginning of a new chapter in African basketball's pursuit of excellence.

List of Candidates

Yacine Belal (Algeria)
Maamar Berriche (Algeria)
Lazare Andingono (Cameroon)
Bruno Darlan (Central African Republic)
Mohamed Mesbahi (Morocco)
Omar Nouhi (Morocco)
Tojo Rasamoelina (Madagascar)
Sami Bozid (Tunisia)
Olivier Tea (Cote d’Ivoire)
Ahmed Younous (Chad)
Louis Marie Tsoungui (Cameroun)
Aaron Kagabo (Burundi)
Yves Murenzi (Rwanda)
Mamé Issa Gueye (Senegal)
Joël Yoba (Cameroon/NBA Academy)
Alfred Aboya (Cameroon/NBA Academy)

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