The renovation of the 7th Limete Street basketball court in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, was celebrated during an official inauguration on Saturday, July 1, 2023. This project, carried out in partnership by NBA Africa and Africa Development Solutions ( ADS), aims to modernize the pitch and bring it up to international standards.
The 7th Street Limete basketball court has special significance for the city of Kinshasa, as it is where some of the greatest NBA Africa players began their careers, such as Dikembe Mutombo, Didier Mbenga, Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo. The renovation of this iconic court now provides young people from the surrounding community with a safe and modern space to play basketball, day or night.
One of the main innovations of this renovated field is the solar lighting system provided by ADS. Thanks to this technology, basketball players will be able to enjoy the court even at night, thus offering more opportunities to practice their favorite sport.
The collaboration between NBA Africa and ADS demonstrates their shared commitment to the development of youth and sport in Africa. Samba Bathily, General Manager of ADS, said that the rehabilitation of the basketball court is part of the company’s social responsibility mission and that there will be other similar initiatives in other municipalities and provinces of the DRC.
To celebrate the reopening of the court, a Jr. NBA tournament will be organized, bringing together more than 200 young boys and girls. The Jr. NBA program is designed to teach fundamental basketball skills as well as core values of the game, such as teamwork, respect, determination and community.
The renovation of the basketball court on 7th Limete Street in Kinshasa is excellent news for Congolese youth. Not only does this provide them with a better environment to practice their sport, but it also reflects the importance of basketball as a vehicle for the development and empowerment of young people. Thanks to this initiative, more young people will have the opportunity to develop their talent and pursue their dreams in the world of basketball