NBA and WNBA Stars Visit Ariel Club Kids in Uganda
By Faridah Akuju
Kampala, Uganda
September 16, 2009

Nykesha Sales demonstrates how to dribble.

On Wednesday, September 9, 40 eager young faces turned up for a basketball workshop in Uganda, led by American professional basketball players Jason Maxiell and Nykesha Sales. The workshop participants were all members of Uganda Ariel Clubs — Foundation-sponsored support groups for children living with HIV.

The event, which was designed to raise awareness of HIV, was part of the Sports Envoy Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the National Basketball Association. (Read more.)

Basketball is not very popular in Uganda, but I was impressed with the wealth of knowledge about the sport that the older children have. We called it “bounce the ball” for the younger children who had never heard of it.

When we were all ready to walk to the venue, I saw the excitement in the children’s faces. They were all looking forward to being introduced to basketball for the first time.

Ten-year-old Maggie lifts a basketball for the first time.

Before the two stars arrived, the children had ten minutes of free basketball to themselves. Wow! Maggie, who is just ten years of age, challenged me to two baskets. It is amazing what talent and potential these children possess.

Finally, the big moment came when Jason Maxiell and Nykesha Sales were introduced to the children. They provided a brief account about their background and basketball careers in the NBA and WNBA — Jason is a power forward for the Detroit Pistons and Nykesha, now retired, played for the Orlando Miracle and the Connecticut Sun.

Josephine and Brian, two members of the Ariel Clubs, eloquently spoke about the Foundation’s work and how it has helped them to deal with their HIV-positive status.

Jason Maxiell plays with Prosie during the layup class.

I was fascinated by the Q&A session — one child asked Nyekesha and Jason how they balance basketball and their social lives. The stars talked about how when they were children, education came first and basketball followed. The child told Nykesha and Jason that she manages her daily activities with a timetable! I reckon Nyekisha and Jason left with a wealth of new information from these children.

Then it was time for fun! The children split into three working groups: the dribbling class, the passing class, and the lay-up class. I could tell the children were enjoying themselves from the noises and giggles that came from the different groups.

In the lay-up class, little Prosy was so small that she stood in front of the hoop for ages with the huge basketball clutched in her hands, not sure what to do. After several attempts to make the layup, Jason lifted her to the hoop and she popped in her first basket. What a moment to behold!

Faridah Akuju, administrative/communications officer at the Foundation’s Uganda office, joined the Foundation a year ago. The permanent smile she wears has made her famous among children in various Ariel Clubs in Uganda. Faridah has experience with many different organizations, including the Embassy of Ireland and the Africa Medical Research Foundation (AMREF). She is proud to be contributing to the lives of HIV/AIDS-affected and -infected children in Uganda.