Abu Dhabi: The Junior NBA Abu Dhabi League, which aims to reach more than 1,300 youth ages 11-14 from schools across Abu Dhabi and, for the first time, Al Ain, has launched its expanded third season in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the National Basketball Association (NBA).
The Jr. NBA program has reached more than 10,000 youth in Abu Dhabi since 2022. The Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League games will take place from February 5 to May 5, 2024.
The announcement was made at a Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League draft event at the NYU Abu Dhabi campus by DCT Abu Dhabi. At the event, each school was assigned an NBA team, received corresponding NBA team-branded jerseys for games, and participated in basketball development clinics, skills challenges, and competitions.
HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said that, “Youth empowerment and community development is at the heart of DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision, in service of building a brighter and more prosperous future for the emirate. Our multiyear partnership and collaboration with NBA to bring this transformative program to Abu Dhabi’s young talents demonstrates our commitment to developing the next generation of players in the UAE and beyond. As we expand the Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League to Al Ain and reach even more children across the emirate, we further solidify the emirate’s position as a global hub for sporting activities and athletic programs.
The Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League aims to teach the values of the game and encourage youth to lead an active and healthy lifestyle through participation in sport. Last season, the Jr. NBA collectively reached nearly 50,000 youth in 34 countries across Europe and the Middle East. The Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League, which is supported by ADQ, Aldar and DCT Abu Dhabi, is part of a multiyear collaboration between DCT Abu Dhabi and the NBA that also features preseason NBA Global Games, a variety of interactive fan events featuring appearances by current and former NBA players.