ABIDJAN (Côte d’Ivoire) - Porto-Novo, the capital of Benin, will be vibrating to the rhythm of mini-basketball from 24 to 27 April when it hosts the first FIBA Africa Mini-Basketball Forum of 2025.
For four days, children, coaches, referees, managers and parents will gather around a common goal: to structure and promote the practice of basketball for the youngest players on the African continent.
Aimed at girls and boys between the ages of 5 and 12, mini-basketball plays a key role in introducing young people to the sport and its essential values of teamwork, discipline and respect.
It is at this age that the first experiences of the game are made, and it is precisely this phase that FIBA Africa aims to support and structure through its Development Council.
The aim is to make the forum a not-to-be-missed event, with two or three continental editions per year, as well as zonal and national initiatives, in order to accelerate the spread of mini-basketball in Africa.
In Porto-Novo, a wide-ranging agenda was developed to involve all stakeholders.
On the court, around 400 children from different regions of Benin will take part in technical workshops, games and competitions in a fun and educational atmosphere.
These sessions, supported by the FIBA Foundation, will not only enable them to progress, but will also strengthen their passion for the game in an age-appropriate environment.
The Forum is not just for young players. Coaches, educators and referees will benefit from specific training sessions under the supervision of international experts.
These sessions will focus on the basic principles of mini-basketball, which is not just a scaled-down version of adult basketball, but a discipline in its own right designed to promote the growth and motor development of the youngest players.
In addition to training players and supervisors, this event is part of a wider effort to develop sustainable youth basketball in Africa.
FIBA Africa will provide suitable equipment, including balls and baskets specially designed for children, to ensure optimal playing conditions.
The role of the international delegates, representing some 15 African federations, remains another key initiative. Their mission will be crucial in ensuring that the impact of the event continues beyond the event itself.
Before the end of the year, they must organise at least two local sessions to disseminate the lessons learned to coaches and increase opportunities for young basketball players.
The 2025 edition follows the success of Madagascar, where the event brought together 400 children and 70 coaches at the Kianja Barea in Mahamasina.
With this new edition in Benin, the aim is to go even further, strengthening the foundations of mini-basketball and expanding its impact across the continent.
FIBA