Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – SOS Village Abobo-Gare in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) is home to a brand new basketball facility that Mohamed Bamba and the Mo Bamba Foundation unveiled just 10 miles from where the Philadelphia 76ers center welcomed his extended family members on his trip to Africa.
With construction beginning in April, the facility will provide two basketball courts that meet FIBA specifications, as well as fully restored plumbing and electricity throughout the village, to over 200 children every day. The next phase of the project, focused on bleacher construction and stadium lighting, has already started. Bamba will be participating in ongoing programming via video conference every week. The principal project advisor is Mahama Coulibaly, who serves as the current President of the Fédération Ivoirienne de Basket-Ball.
“This is an extremely personal project and I’m proud of how it’s all reflected in the courts,” said Bamba. “Everything down to the smallest of details represents an important part of my life, from my African roots, to my Harlem upbringing, to honoring my family who made this all possible. Mahama helped us identify some incredible local artists and architects who perfectly captured all the intersections of my heritage, and I’m so appreciative for all their hard work.”
In addition to attending the court dedication and leading basketball clinics, Bamba organized a COVID-19 vaccine awareness program with former Côte d’Ivoire ambassador to the United States, Mamadou Haidara, to encourage the local youth to get vaccinated. Bamba also took part in EducationUSA outreach, a network run by the U.S. State Department that encourages students from all over the world to pursue higher education in the United States. As someone who grew up in a West African family in Harlem, New York, and went on to attend Cardigan Mountain School in New Hampshire, Westtown School in Pennsylvania, and the University of Texas, Bamba exemplifies the value of education and the fulfilling path it can lead to.
“I have known Mohamed’s father, Lancine, for a long time, and it has always been a dream of ours to one day have his son come back to Africa and inspire our Côte d’Ivoire community,” explained Ambassador Haidara. “Every time the Orlando Magic are in D.C., Mo has made a special effort to visit with me postgame to talk about ways to move this plan forward. We are very excited about the impact that this is going to have both locally and nationally.”
In addition, Bamba gathered from his teammates more than 100 pairs of basketball shoes and 100 high-performance insoles from Move Insoles to be donated to the Côte d’Ivoire basketball development program. Obtaining shoes larger than size 12, particularly for taller, high-potential players continues to be a major supply chain obstacle in Africa.
“I’m not here, in Abidjan, to just shake a few hands, snap a few photos, and pass on through. I plan to be back next summer, and in the meantime, we’ve got weekly after-school athletic and academic programs that I’ll be involved with. This is going to grow elsewhere too,” said Bamba.
The Mo Bamba Foundation is funding these efforts. Donors Nick Giannotti, Victor Hedman, Chris Kubasik, Tyvi Small, Dr. Ramsin Benyamin, Stephanie Gaines, Michael & Lynette Ellis, Michael & Kathy Lloyd, Greer & Michelle Love, the Mincberg family, Krauthamer & Associates, MLE Law, PV365 Winery, Andy Zupsic, and Omar Soliman are also contributing to this effort. In order to keep enhancing vital developmental resources for youth in Abidjan, the Mo Bamba Foundation is collaborating with the NBPA to apply for grants from the NBPA Foundation and the U.S. African Development Foundation. You are welcome to make additional donations, which will support the project’s second phase and ongoing programming.
