Basketball: Hope for Kayole as Bakee Mtaani launch Sh2.5million basketball ground

Aspiring basketball players from Kayole have a bright future after Bakee Mtaani on Wednesday launched the construction of Sh2.5 million basketball grounds at Umama grounds in Komarock along Kangundo road in Kayole, Nairobi.

A project started by the Jonathan Jackson Foundation who are the sponsored by FKF Premier League club Nairobi City Stars, Bakee Mtaani Program (basketball in the hood) is a revolutionary community initiative that introduces basketball courts as safe spaces within Nairobi’s informal settlements and communities.

The project includes the identification and construction of basketball courts, sourcing of equipment, implementation training for coaches and referees to oversee basketball tournaments and comprehensive training programs for the youths to learn the sport and ensure high levels of participation.

So far, the Jonathan Jackson Foundation have constructed three NBA standard basketball courts built in the Dagoretti North and Dagoretti South Communities.

On Wednesday, the Jonathan Jackson Foundation partnered with KFC Kuku Foods as a major funding partner for the Kayole-community based full-size basketball court in Kayole.

“Our partnership as KFC with the NBA in Africa also aims to create a space for aspiring basketballers to hone their skill and love for the game while winning some cool prizes as part of our Now We’re Balling campaign,” said Kuku Foods CEO Jacques Theunissen.

"It's an honor to have KFC on board as a partner with the Foundation for this noble course. It's not just a court coming up but a facility that brings the youth together for engagement, not only for the game but for mutually beneficial purposes,"

"We have so far successfully put up three courts in the Dagoretti area, but this one is significant as it's the first out in Kayole and hopefully, with a cemented partnership with KFC, this will be the first of many within the City," said Diana Sifuna, CEO Jonathan Jackson Foundation.

The basketball court will be owned by Catholic Church Devine World Parish which provided the land.

Additionally, Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Premier League clubs, schools, community and interested parties will be allowed to use the court once fully constructed.