The M-PESA Jr. NBA tournament is set to get electrifying in Rift Valley this weekend as Uasin Gishu High School hosts the regional finals.
40 teams, 480 young players will be in 5-on-5 action, showcasing their skills, agility and teamwork in pursuit of the championship. Expect high octane games with precision shooting, fast breaks and defensive battles.
Safaricom CEO Dr. Peter Ndegwa spoke ahead of the tournament. “This weekend we will empower over 400 young people from Rift Valley with financial literacy skills. Our previous events in Nairobi and Coast have been amazing and we want to keep the momentum going,” he said.
Dr. Ndegwa said the program is about more than basketball. “ Initiatives like these shape well rounded individuals. We’re not just nurturing sporting talent but also financial independence among the next generation,” he added.
The tournament follows previous successes in other regions. Last weekend Aga Khan Academy and Umoja Junior School from Changamwe won in the Coast Regionals. Two weeks ago, St. John’s Junior School from Korogocho and Olympic Junior School won in the Nairobi Regionals.
Winning teams in the boys and girls categories will get smartphones and airtime courtesy of M-PESA. Top performing players will also get scouted for the Top 100 Elite Basketball Development Camp in April.
M-PESA Jr. NBA aims to provide basketball development and financial literacy training to over 10,000 boys and girls across Kenya. After Rift Valley this weekend, the tournament will be in Kisumu next weekend before the national finals in April which will be held during the National Secondary School Games.
With each event, the program is shaping young athletes into future basketball stars and instilling life skills, it’s a game-changer for Kenya’s sports landscape.