“The kids seemed very excited about basketball and hopefully they are going to be the ambassadors of the sport in future.” - Nykesha Sales

Jason helps a player improve his shooting technique

NBA Player Jason Maxiell and former WNBA player Nykesha Sales traveled to Uganda as Sports Envoys for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. From September 7-10, 2009, the envoys conducted basketball clinics and spoke about the importance of teamwork to more than 335 Ugandan youth between the ages of 10 and 17. For many of the young people, this was their first experience playing basketball. The program was conducted in conjunction with the National Basketball Association and the Uganda Basketball Federation.

At Uganda Christian University the envoys put hundreds of youth and youth coaches through a wide range of drills that developed fundamental basketball skills. The Sports Envoys also shared their life histories with the participants to inspire them to work hard at everything they do. In addition to basketball clinics, the stars spent an afternoon with a group of forty HIV positive young people from the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The envoys talked to the young people about HIV and then answered questions about their lives as professional athletes. The young Ugandans were overwhelmed by the opportunity to spend time with such elite athletes. This successful program was covered by both leading English daily newspapers, in addition to reports on WBS TV, NTV, NBS TV, Radio Serpentia, and Radio One.