The University of Ghana Basketball Court came alive on Saturday, December 24, as over 100 girls converged to participate in the first day of the Girls Empowerment Basketball Camp. The event was organised by the Greater Accra Basketball Association in collaboration with Swain Basketball Academy, New York Square, the Jordan Nwora Foundation, Dr. Shelissa Thomas, and FIBA Africa Zone 3.
Coach Swain and his team from the Swain Basketball Academy led the girls through foundational basketball skills, including dribbling, shooting, passing, defensive positioning, and teamwork. The interactive sessions aimed to provide the young players with a solid grasp of basketball fundamentals.
The second session featured a mental wellness clinic led by Dr. Shelissa Thomas and her team. The clinic focused on empowering the participants to prioritise their mental health, not only as athletes but also for their personal growth.
In an interview, Coach Swain expressed his enthusiasm:
“It’s really a blessing, and I am excited. Thank you for the opportunity to impact these girls. I see the smiles and resilience in them for the game. They are hard-working and eager to learn, and we will continue to help groom them, establish their skills, and instill values of hard work and determination. This camp helps them gain a better understanding of basketball and life.”
Dan Isaacs from New York Square shared his excitement about the turnout: “We are excited looking at the participation today. We will organise more of these camps to track and monitor their improvement journeys.”
Dr. Shelissa Thomas highlighted the significance of the initiative, stating, “I am super excited about this because I get the opportunity to serve and assist with sustainability. The girls I saw today believe in themselves, and that’s a powerful mental mindset. They are positive, which is why they came out to participate. Participation is 75% of anything you want to accomplish in this world.”
Each participant left with a signed copy of Dr. Shelissa Thomas’s book, “Me Overcoming Me,” along with branded t-shirts and training kits from New York Square.
Some participants shared their gratitude with the media, expressing how the camp had boosted their skills and inspired them to pursue their basketball dreams.
The camp is a testament to the organisers’ commitment to nurturing young talent and empowering girls through basketball and mental wellness.
