Changing lives through basketball

Hoop for a Better Life, a community organisation, is taking children of Alexandra off the streets and giving them a better life through basketball.

More than 68 children between the ages of nine and 14, from all primary schools in Alexandra, took part in the Youth Basketball Development Clinic held at No 3 Square Grounds in Alex.

The programme was created by Hoop to a Better Life, which aims to impact the lives of young people through the basic principles of basketball. “We just want to tell these kids it does not matter what the situation is at home. Through basketball, you will grow as a person. There is no other way we can change Alexandra except by changing the mentality of the people in Alexandra,” said Sifiso Twala of the organisation.

The one-day basketball clinic was filled with fun activities that benefited both beginners and experienced basketball players. Some of the activities included workouts and agility sessions, learning about the basics of playing basketball, and a life skills session.

Twala said from 10 October to 5 December, from 9.30am until 12.30pm, the organisation will run an 8-week programme every Saturday which will provide basketball skills development. “The point of this programme is to expand on the success of this past clinic and also to get the kids off the streets on weekends by keeping them busy on the basketball court,” he said.