The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
A NON-PROFIT making organisation – After School Hoops – has embarked on a positive social behavioural change programme for children of school going age in all the seven districts of Manicaland using the game of basketball.
With the technical assistance of United States of America coach, Brad McCorkle, After School Hoops aims to reach out to at least 300 kids in selected schools through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in 2022.
Founder and chief executive of After School Hoops, David Mlambo said: “We have been doing training camps around the province’s seven districts.
“We managed to raise money to renovate Dangamvura, Sakubva and Rusape basketball courts with a vision to build more courts in every district.
“We are also helping less-privileged kids with school fees and stationery, and out of school youths to go back to school so that they can achieve their goals.
“We have been friends with Brad McCorkle for two years, and during that period we have been planning this with him.
“We have the same passion to help kids through sport, creating safe space for them so that they can become better citizens,” said Mlambo.
According to Mlambo, the aim of the programme is to develop basketball skills, life skills and teach youths to plough back to their respective communities. Since it became operational and mainly inclined to technical assistance, the After School Hoops project has managed to develop top athletes who have competed at national level.
Mlambo said: “The programme empowers youths through sport, while participating in activities that will help youths to develop into responsible citizens.
“We also have educators and coaches who are knowledgeable of the game and life skills. Our hope as we go a gear up in our programme is to assist students to succeed academically and as athletes through scholarships that will help them showcase their talent at a higher level.
“The scholarships will help athletes to continue learning in the classroom and on the basketball court.
“Through the programme, youths will achieve goals such as professional development, gaining knowledge of the sport and life skills. We also want to get youths off the street so that they can reach their true potential in sport and in education,” he said.
