JAPOMA ARENA REAWAKENS: CAMEROON SET TO HOST FIBA AFRICA REGIONAL YOUTH CAMP
By Esther E. Otto
In a remarkable revival of sporting grandeur, the dormant JAPOMA ARENA in Douala is poised for a spectacular rebirth as it welcomes the esteemed FIBA AFRICA Regional Youth Camp from October 14th to 17th.
This historic event marks the first utilization of the arena since its construction, promising a vibrant resurgence in the realm of African basketball.
Eagerly anticipating the arrival of fifty talented U16 Boys from over 20 African countries, the JAPOMA ARENA stands ready to witness the genesis of a new chapter in the continent’s basketball legacy.
The camp, a brainchild of FIBA in collaboration with the NBA, aims to unearth and nurture Africa’s brightest young basketball prospects, infusing them with essential skills and leadership values under the mentorship of distinguished experts in African Basketball.
Among the luminaries guiding these budding athletes is the illustrious GISEL KIPO, a shining example of talent development and success within the program.
Gisel’s journey from silver medalist and MVP at the Afrobasket U18 Girls to her current endeavors at the NBA Academy in Senegal exemplifies the transformative power of initiatives like Basketball Without Borders (FIBA-NBA) in sculpting future basketball stars.
Notable figures such as ALFRED ABOYA, renowned for his coaching prowess with the Cameroon Menieurs national team and at the NBA Academy Africa, are set to enrich the camp experience with their invaluable expertise.
As the JAPOMA ARENA prepares to host this continental convergence for the first time on Cameroonian soil, the stage is set for a resplendent showcase of emerging basketball talent against the backdrop of a facility that symbolizes renewed vigor and sporting excellence.