It is noteworthy to say that, we are all around surrounded by sports. Our first introduction to sports as children is in the games we play. At that early stage, we play for fun. We play without rules—and maybe, fun resides in the easiness of bending, or not knowing rules exist entirely. We play because as children, there exist a need to expend our energy in games to nurture a sense of community and camaraderie. But do we ever think of sports as a livelihood? In recent times professional athletes have proven that sports can lead the way to great careers. Or more correctly, professionalized sports are careers.
When discussing sports’ potential to turn into careers in Kenya, it feels right to start with the government agency overseeing that: the Kenya Academy of Sports. Established under the Ministry of Sports Kenya under The Sports Act, 2013, its mandate is to develop sports up to the elite level. And that is where the cash comes in and this is not just about the players but also other key participants in the game as well.
One key area of focus for the Basketball Experience is to facilitate the development of basketball talent to the highest possible level. This links well with the mandate of the Kenya Academy of Sports as put across by Dr. Doreen Odhiambo—the Kenya Academy of Sports C.E.O. “Through the Basketball Experience we are going to get support in the development of sports grounds, capacity building of sports technical personnel in basketball. We believe that if well embraced, careers will be nurtured here. Out of this, there could be so many career openings.”
Curating a path for young boys and girls is central to achieving this. Further, it is crucial in the efforts to reconcile sports in the country with its ability to employ scores of people as is common in other parts of the world.
Dr. Odhiambo surmises that even though not every participant will qualify to play in the world’s major leagues, some could fall back on other roles such as coaches, instructors, and support staff.
Basketball goes beyond those on the court. It is an entire industry made up of many other professions. When the sport grows as it is bound to under the Basketball Experience, it will be inevitable to witness the sprouting of a multi-million shillings industry here in Kenya all for the game—the love and the gains. Nothing says you can’t be in the game and earn from it.