US partners CMR in promoting education through sports

The U.S. Embassy in Cameroon on Tuesday welcomed Yves Tsala, Regional President of the Cameroon Basketball Federation (FECABASKET) for the Centre Region, to discuss the United States’ interest in partnering with Cameroonians in promoting education through sports.

Tsala held talks with several embassy officials including Public Affairs Officer Roberto Quiroz II and Education USA Advisor Richard Ewane. During their discussion, the FECABASKET official outlined his organization’s mission to expand basketball clinics throughout the country in order to increase the participation of young men and women in the sport.

“We believe in expanding our partnership with National Basketball Association (NBA) players and Cameroonian coaches, whose participation in our events would lend unparalleled expertise and prestige as they are role models for all citizens. We also believe in expanding our partnership with Cameroonian boys and girls to promote basketball because the teamwork of the sport will help them become better citizens,” he stated.

For their part, Quiroz and the U.S. Embassy staff lauded FECABASKET and the Ministry of Sports for their vision and determination to serve the youth. An embassy release quoted Quiroz as saying that promoting basketball diplomacy programs for youth in partnership with leaders like Tsala is one of Ambassador Michael Hoza’s top priorities in Cameroon.

Sports Diplomacy has emerged as an integral part of efforts to build ever-strengthening relations between the United States and other nations. Sports diplomacy uses the universal passion for sports as a way to transcend linguistic and sociocultural differences and bring people together.

Participation in sports teaches leadership, teamwork, and communication skills that help young people succeed in all areas of their lives.