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Mutombo helps promote basketball among youths in Asia
NBA Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo has expressed his enthusiasm about helping promote basketball among Asian youth with the Jr
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BA Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo has expressed his enthusiasm about helping promote basketball among Asian youth with the Jr. NBA program.
'I think I have so much to give to our game of basketball in Asia not just because of who I am. I think it's also because I love the game and I think that my presence will really contribute so much,' Mutombo said to reporters in a tele-conference on Monday, attended by The Jakarta Post.
The former NBA Allstar member played for 18 years, most notably for the Atlanta Hawks, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Houston Rockets.
Jr. NBA is the league's global youth basketball participation program, which has been conducted across Southeast Asia for the past two years. The program provides open clinics for kids aged 5-14 and a training camp for a select group of boys and girls aged 10-14, based on the values of sportsmanship, teamwork, attitude and respect (STAR).
The Jr. NBA is currently taking place in Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. The All-Stars from all five countries will embark on an overseas trip to watch an NBA game, receive basketball training, tour the local city and play exhibition games.
For Mutombo, the program is not only about the sport, but also about the positive influence it can have on kids in other aspects of their lives.
'The Jr. NBA program will have an immeasurable impact in Asia and the rest of the world because we are not only teaching the game of basketball, but we are also teaching how to lead healthy lifestyles. We want to make sure that all kids have the chance to play the game of basketball because you cannot play basketball if you're not physically healthy, if you're not eating right and if you're not getting all the nutrition that you need for you to participate in the game of basketball.'
Although there has not been an exact timetable established yet, Mutombo is expected to visit Indonesia in 2016. While the main goal is a healthy lifestyle, Mutombo also hopes that the program can contribute to players making the transition from Asia to the NBA.
'I think there is a great chance that in the next couple of years, we will see more players coming to the NBA from Asia. I think right now there are players who can come to the NBA from Asia but it's all about their own will and desire. When we look at a place like China where my good friend Yao Ming is from, I think there are a lot of young players who can play in the NBA.'
The 2016 Southeast Asia Jr. NBA commenced in the Philippines on Jan. 23 and will culminate on Aug. 28 in Indonesia. Surabaya is to be included in this year's program.
Mutombo is a member of the Jr. NBA Advisory Council, which also includes local businessmen and community leaders. With their help, the NBA wants to tackle inactivity among youth throughout the entire region. Over the last year, 1.4 million kids, parents and coaches have participated in the program, according to Scott Levy, the managing director of NBA Asia.
'These are some of the most influential people we have in the region and they have all already helped us implement the program at a much quicker pace than we could have done on our own. So we're very excited to have this group together, we greatly appreciate their support, and we think they're going to be big for the Jr. NBA in Asia over the next several years,' Levy said during a media conference.
Levy, who serves as the council chairman, said that Jonathan Tahir and Erik Hartono, the Indonesian members of the council, would be vital to the program's success in Indonesia.
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The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post
