Tongan Youth Leader Ready for Challenge

GOLD COAST (Australia) – Basketball in Tonga is on the rise and FIBA Youth Leader; Nathan Kioa, is eager to support the growth and development of Basketball for Good.

Selected as one for 16 FIBA Foundation Youth Leaders in Oceania, Kioa wants to inspire the next generation of Tongans on and off the court to become valuable contributors in society.

“Basketball for Good can help shape basketball development in Tonga by implementing good health and wellbeing into the community,” Kioa said.  “I believe that the basketball programs we can offer will promote gender equality and inclusive practices.  If we have access to the right education and knowledge, I know basketball will positively influence our Tongan communities.”

Kioa started playing basketball in 2018 as a self-taught basketballer, he fell in love with the game and was able to connect with the Tongan National Team at a training camp, prior to the 2019 South Pacific Games.

“Being around those guys and to see how the sport was really played and what it took to be a national player really inspired me,” Kioa said.  “I trained with them every day to refine my skills and I hoped to represent Tonga at the next South Pacific Games.”

Elite competition aside, Kioa wants to connect with the young people in Tonga so they too can have access to basic basketball knowledge in the hope of fuelling their desire to learn more about new thing.

“The younger kids and teenagers in Tonga usually come to the church to play pickup games,” Kioa said.  “Our pickup games are the only time they can play or have some sort of basketball activity happen due to the lack of resources and courts to play on.  I think school competitions will be a great way to counteract this and enable better access to basketball and everything it offers.”

Ahead of the workshop in Auckland next week, Kioa has enjoyed learning more about Basketball for Good initiatives during the online courses but looks forward to meeting everyone in-person to further develop goal setting strategies for basketball development in Tonga.

“I look forward to learning more about the sport, becoming a better leader and using this platform to do something bigger and better not just for myself but for the community and everyone who enjoys the sport,” Kioa concluded.

Across the program, participants will cover a variety of topics including personal development, communication skills, teamwork, goal setting, diversity and inclusion, ethical leadership, and community engagement.

## About FIBA Youth Leadership

The FIBA Foundation’s Youth Leadership program is a global Basketball for Good initiative giving youths the skills and opportunities to create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.  The Youth Leaders are supported to create their own community impact project, growing the Basketball for Good family worldwide.

FIBA