The 2025 FIBA Africa Mini Basketball Forum will be held in Porto-Novo, Benin, from April 24-27, focusing on developing youth basketball across Africa. The event will bring together around 400 children, coaches, and officials for workshops and competitions, aiming to promote mini-basketball and foster teamwork, discipline, and skill development in children aged 6 to 12.
Last Updated on
March 26, 2025
FIBA Africa’s commitment to growing youth basketball will come to life at the Don Bosco de Parakou Center in the port city of Porto-Novo, Benin from 24-27 April where the highly anticipated 2025 FIBA Africa Mini Basketball Forum will bring together mini-basketball enthusiasts and lovers of basketball from across the continent.
This event will unite children, coaches, referees, managers, and parents, all driven by a shared goal: to strengthen and promote the practice of basketball for young players throughout Africa.
Mini-basketball, designed for children aged 6 to 12, plays a crucial role in introducing young people to the sport while instilling the core values of teamwork, discipline, and respect. This age group represents the first exposure to basketball, making it a vital stage that FIBA Africa is eager to support through its Development Council.
FIBA Africa aims to make the forum a regular event, holding alongside regional and national initiatives. This strategy is designed to accelerate the growth of mini-basketball across the African continent.
On the court, approximately 400 children from various regions of Benin will participate in technical workshops, matches, and competitions. These activities are intended to foster skill development in an enjoyable and educational setting. The event will not only help the young players improve their abilities but will also ignite their passion for the game in a context that suits their age and developmental needs.
Beyond the main protagonists, the players, coaches, educators, and referees will benefit from specialized training sessions led by international experts. These sessions will cover the foundational principles of mini-basketball, which, while similar to adult basketball, is designed as a unique discipline to foster the physical and motor development of younger players.
The event is also part of FIBA Africa's blueprint to ensure the sustainable development of youth basketball across the continent. In addition to player and coach training, FIBA Africa will provide age-appropriate equipment, such as children’s basketballs and specially designed hoops, to ensure optimal playing conditions
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A significant aspect of the forum will be the involvement of international delegates from around 15 African federations. Their responsibility will include organizing at least two local sessions before the end of the year, sharing the knowledge gained at the forum, and increasing opportunities for young basketball players in their respective countries.
The 2025 forum builds upon the success of the 2024 event in Madagascar, where 400 children and 70 coaches gathered at the Kianja Barea in Mahamasina.
With the 2025 forum in Porto-Novo, FIBA Africa aims to further solidify the foundations of mini-basketball and expand its influence across the continent.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA Africa]
