A decade after – Basketball Artists School continues to change lives
The Basketball Artists School (BAS) recently celebrated their 10th anniversary under the theme, ‘Changing lives’
The two-day celebration held from 21 to 22 February at the Katutura Sports Complex, attracted around 2000 children from grades 5 to 12, all of whom came from close to 10 Khomas schools.
The first day was filled with life skills-based games which were separated in stalls for the children to enjoy. Children were offered an opportunity to partake in a mini basketball jamboree, where they were taught life skills through basic basketball games. The older participants took part in a 3×3 tournament, which Dawid Bezuidenhout High School won.
The main birthday celebration which was held the following day saw the BAS beneficiaries showcase their creativity as well as tell their life stories.
Speaking on the day Minister of Youth, Sports and National Service, Hon. Erastus Uutoni urged the BAS beneficiaries to plough back into the community just as much as the programme has done so in their lives.
“This programme has lived up to its motto [education First- Basketball Second and I am proud of you for that”.
The German Ambassador to Namibia, Herbert Beck who was also in attendance Beck said, “I am emotional to be part of such an event. Seeing how the programme has changed these children from when the programme first started to now is very amazing to see”.
One of the beneficiaries, Pedro Pasile, who was to gave his life story narrated how he grew up without a father but that being at BAS gave him a safe space to be himself.
“I shot my first basketball without my father but today I stand tall and have made peace with my past because being at the programme has taught me that my past does not define me,” he said.
Meanwhile, sponsors such the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), First National Bank of Namibia (FNB), Hollard Insurance Namiba, Pupkewitz Foundation, Emcon Consulting group, Mikel-Jes Music Productions and Katutura Community Art Centre (KCAC) helped to make the celebration possible.
