BAS celebrates 10 years
Celebrating 10 years of changing lives was the theme over the weekend at the anniversary of the Basketball Artists School (BAS).
The celebration, which started on Friday, kicked off with a fun festival, the BAS-tival. The day hosted at the Katutura Sports Complex saw about 2 000 children in attendance from grades 5 to 12 from close to 10 schools in the Khomas Region.
The day was filled games separated by stalls for the children to enjoy. On the day, the children were offered an opportunity to partake in a mini basketball jamboree where they were taught life skills through basic basketball.
The older participants took part in a 3x3 tournament, which Dawid Bezuidenhout High School won.
On Saturday, the main birthday celebration was held. The BAS beneficiaries showcased their creativity and told their life stories. All Star games were played to end off the day with a male and female match between the BAS teams and Khomas All Stars.
Speaking on the day was sports minister Erastus Uutoni, who urged the BAS beneficiaries to plough back into the community as much as the programme has done in their lives.
“This programme has lived up to its motto 'education first, basketball second', and I'm proud of you for that,” said Uutoni.
Also in attendance was German ambassador to Namibia, Herbert Beck. “I'm emotional to be part of such an event. Seeing how the programme has changed these children from when the programme first started to now is very amazing to see,” said Beck.
One of the beneficiaries Pedro Pasile narrated how he grew up without a father but that being at BAS gave him a safe space to be himself.
“I shot my first basketball without my father but today I stand tall and have made peace with my past because being at the programme has taught me that my past does not define me,” he said.
SPORTS REPORTER
The celebration, which started on Friday, kicked off with a fun festival, the BAS-tival. The day hosted at the Katutura Sports Complex saw about 2 000 children in attendance from grades 5 to 12 from close to 10 schools in the Khomas Region.
The day was filled games separated by stalls for the children to enjoy. On the day, the children were offered an opportunity to partake in a mini basketball jamboree where they were taught life skills through basic basketball.
The older participants took part in a 3x3 tournament, which Dawid Bezuidenhout High School won.
On Saturday, the main birthday celebration was held. The BAS beneficiaries showcased their creativity and told their life stories. All Star games were played to end off the day with a male and female match between the BAS teams and Khomas All Stars.
Speaking on the day was sports minister Erastus Uutoni, who urged the BAS beneficiaries to plough back into the community as much as the programme has done in their lives.
“This programme has lived up to its motto 'education first, basketball second', and I'm proud of you for that,” said Uutoni.
Also in attendance was German ambassador to Namibia, Herbert Beck. “I'm emotional to be part of such an event. Seeing how the programme has changed these children from when the programme first started to now is very amazing to see,” said Beck.
One of the beneficiaries Pedro Pasile narrated how he grew up without a father but that being at BAS gave him a safe space to be himself.
“I shot my first basketball without my father but today I stand tall and have made peace with my past because being at the programme has taught me that my past does not define me,” he said.
SPORTS REPORTER
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