FORMER NBA player and coach Sam Vincent hailed the support received by The Global Coach Summer Basketball Academy which was launched earlier this week under the sponsorship of the American Embassy in Bahrain and Alba.
The academy is a five-day programme where children aged 10-16 are coached on all aspects of the game at Alba Club in Isa Town
“Alba has a very strong commitment to the community as one of the largest corporations here in Bahrain, and the US Embassy also has a commitment to the youth here in Bahrain, to be a good local partner,” said Vincent.
He added that both parties were interested in doing a community-based youth project, and they were willing to partner and make it a basketball-related event.
“We have close to a 100 kids; they didn’t have to pay to attend. Every day we talk to the kids about education, health-related matters and fitness, alongside basketball,” said Vincent, who won the Mr. Basketball award in 1981.
The academy is run by Vincent, alongside some volunteers from the American Navy and locals who are interested in basketball.
Passion
Vincent, who has passion for youth development, is currently working on the summer academy as well as the Junior NBA league which is hosted by Manama Club.
“Basketball is more than just ten guys on the court running up and down. It’s learning important lessons in life. My passion is in connecting with youth and being able to have an impact and provide positive methods,” he said.
“The Junior NBA is committed more to Manama Club. I am just trying not to confuse them together.”
Vincent, who moved from Manama to Al Ahli at the end of last season, spoke about how he had made that decision.
“When I signed my contract, I had told the club that I was not going to be able to give in nine straight months, and that I have projects that I work on around the region and they had agreed,” the 53-year-old coach said.
“I wanted to attend a basketball event that was very important to me, something that in my life, winning a championship and being in the NBA, it’s that important. There was a disagreement around my ability to attend the event and it changed some things with my relationship with the Manama Club at that time,” he said.
Vincent confirmed he will not be coaching any club in the upcoming season but will rather concentrate on his projects with youth development.