Many people may simply view Africa as a third world country which has tons of adults and innocent babies starving, individuals dying from HIV, and the place where Ebola originated. Even though, Africa is still a developing nation and may be struggling with transforming to a modernized country, the continent has always been known for the good culture, and competitive nature of sports activities. Although, there are great soccer players in Africa, people in Africa are not just talented in soccer. Many African athletes have made rosters for teams in the National Basketball Association, starting with Hakeem Olajuwon, the first African player to play in the NBA. The elite talent of players from Africa who have played, and who are currently in the
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“Over the past several years professional sports leagues in North America have sought to develop their fan bases and marketability beyond their own continent as the marketplace in North America becomes ever more saturated” (Means, 40). While the National Basketball Association is a business, I don’t believe that the NBA sole motive for wanting to be active in Africa is just to sell more jerseys or get people in Africa to watch games, and augment the ratings. While much of the push has concentrated on Europe and Asia, the National Basketball Association (NBA) at least has not ignored other regions such as Africa (Means, 40). This evidence proves that the NBA wants to have an influence in Africa. The National Basketball Association could have focused on other countries that may be dealing with many obstacles, but the NBA executives must have realized that Africa is in a dire need for positive intervention. According to Commissioner David Stern, “Basketball without Borders is a global program that brings people together to discuss important social issues such as HIV/AIDS prevention while emphasizing the importance of education and healthy living” (Means 41). This information suggests that the NBA wants to enlighten the African adolescents on how to protect themselves from HIV, so they can have the ability to fully participate …show more content…
According to Means (41), Commissioner David Stern, has declared that a prime objective of the Basketball Without Borders program is to “help young people from diverse national and economic backgrounds come together and learn through the sport of basketball” (‘NBA basketball stars’, 2005).I believe the NBA decided to help in Africa, because the association understands that sports unites people, and builds teamwork. Furthermore, when the association sends their star athletes to participate in a cause people usually are more attentive because adults, and primarily the youth look up to celebrities. In a sense the African youth may look at an athlete that made it out of Africa and developed a better life-style for his family as a symbol of
“Over the past several years professional sports leagues in North America have sought to develop their fan bases and marketability beyond their own continent as the marketplace in North America becomes ever more saturated” (Means, 40). While the National Basketball Association is a business, I don’t believe that the NBA sole motive for wanting to be active in Africa is just to sell more jerseys or get people in Africa to watch games, and augment the ratings. While much of the push has concentrated on Europe and Asia, the National Basketball Association (NBA) at least has not ignored other regions such as Africa (Means, 40). This evidence proves that the NBA wants to have an influence in Africa. The National Basketball Association could have focused on other countries that may be dealing with many obstacles, but the NBA executives must have realized that Africa is in a dire need for positive intervention. According to Commissioner David Stern, “Basketball without Borders is a global program that brings people together to discuss important social issues such as HIV/AIDS prevention while emphasizing the importance of education and healthy living” (Means 41). This information suggests that the NBA wants to enlighten the African adolescents on how to protect themselves from HIV, so they can have the ability to fully participate …show more content…
According to Means (41), Commissioner David Stern, has declared that a prime objective of the Basketball Without Borders program is to “help young people from diverse national and economic backgrounds come together and learn through the sport of basketball” (‘NBA basketball stars’, 2005).I believe the NBA decided to help in Africa, because the association understands that sports unites people, and builds teamwork. Furthermore, when the association sends their star athletes to participate in a cause people usually are more attentive because adults, and primarily the youth look up to celebrities. In a sense the African youth may look at an athlete that made it out of Africa and developed a better life-style for his family as a symbol of