NBA Partners With Beyond Sport Summit 2014

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has been announced as the Host Presenting Partner of the Beyond Sport Summit & Awards 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa from 28^th to 30th October.

NBA Legends Cedric Ceballos and Sam Perkins will take part in the three-day event, which will also include a visit to the Royal Bafokeng Nation in Phokeng, North West Province, interactive panels and sessions at the Nike Football Training Centre in Soweto and the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy exhibition on the last day of the Summit.

NBA All-Star, and 1992 Slam Dunk Champion Cedric Ceballos and former Olympic Gold Medallist and 1982 NCAA Champion Sam Perkins will play a leading role at the Summit that will explore the ways in which sport can be used to influence social change through a series of community site visits and specially tailored programmes.

During the Summit, Ceballos and Perkins will visit the Royal Bafokeng Nation to engage with the Bafokeng youth and run on-court basketball sessions. The Royal Bafokeng Jr NBA/Jr WNBA Basketball Development Programme, now in its fourth year, is a multifaceted school-based basketball development initiative which aims to promote both basketball and life skills with an emphasis on the value of physical education and sports as part of a holistic approach to education.

“A key driver in our strategic approach to grow the game across the African continent is the opportunity to leverage our sport and the celebrity of our brand to impact positive social change. Beyond Sport also believes in the powerful role of sport in a society and we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with them on this event,” said NBA Vice President and Managing Director for Africa Amadou Gallo Fall. “We are fortunate to have Cedric and Sam working with us in Africa again and trust that their leadership and passion for youth development will make a positive impact on the participants.”

The NBA and Beyond Sport have a strong history of working together to deliver events that focus on how sports teams and leagues can create positive social change. The league is one of the Founding Supporters of Beyond Sport United in New York City, the largest gathering of teams and leagues to promote social change in the world.

The event will showcase leading sport-for-social-change programmes making a positive impact across the city. With representatives of various international organisations taking part, including UNICEF, Tottenham Hotspur, Boston Red Sox and many more, it provides an opportunity for sharing of best practice from around the world. The event is supported by global partners Barclays, UNICEF and TIME.

For more information and to book your place at the event, click here.