Zalgiris begins cooperation with South African basketball 0

Zalgiris Kaunas started collaborating with South Africa. A country famous for football, cricket and rugby, expressed a desire to learn the best practice of basketball management from a 70-year-old Zalgiris club.

The strongest Lithuanian basketball team is willing to contribute to the growth of basketball in South Africa. Zalgiris has accrued a lot of knowledge throughout its long and glorious history.

“One of the main goals of the Euroleague Basketball is the growth and promotion of basketball in countries, where the sport is not that popular. For example, increasing cooperation between the Euroleague and the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) was marked with a successful and mutually beneficial visit of FC Barcelona basketball team in Asia. Several exciting games were played there. On our behalf, Zalgiris Kaunas, as a Euroleague team, also decided to foster the popularity of basketball. We discovered a huge potential in collaborating with South Africa, where even though basketball is not the most eminent sport, but the popularity of it is growing significantly”, – said Mr. Paulius Motiejunas, the director of Zalgiris Kaunas.

The owner of Duzi Royals, the champions of South African basketball league, Mr. Kevin Mabanga was thrilled with an opportunity of working together with Zalgiris.

“We discussed many issues with Lithuanian champions. Some of them include the opportunities of organizing youth tournaments in Lithuania or South Africa, mutual exchange programs for basketball coaches. We also considered collaborating in organizing summer basketball camps for children of South Africa, as well as coaching clinics for coaches and seminars for basketball managers. All these various initiatives would increase the skills of South African basketball players, credentials of coaches and sports managers. Last but not least, through this collaboration, we hope to increase the popularity of basketball in South Africa as a whole”, – said Mr. Kevin Mabanga, the director of Duzi Royals.

The director of Zalgiris Kaunas completely agrees with Mr. Mabanga. In addition, according to Mr. Motiejunas, conversations with different South African businesses and public institutions were fruitful and allowed to think about bringing potential sponsors from South Africa that could collaborate with Zalgiris Kaunas.

Lithuanian origin Mr. Gavin Varejes, the executive director of Richman Holdings investment fund, was also very positive about the prospects of working together with Zalgiris Kaunas.

“I have a special place in my heart for Lithuania as my late father was born in your great country. Firstly, I would like to say that the biggest successes are always achieved through sporting participation and collaboration. Me and my charity, which is the biggest sporting charity in Africa, highly respect what your team and country have achieved in the substantially competitive world of basketball. There is no doubt that South Africa and Lithuania will have mutual benefits from this collaboration. Thank you for helping South Africa, and on our behalf, we are sure that what we will offer to Lithuania will be priceless as well”, – said Mr. Varejes.

At the end of October representatives from Duzi Royals basketball club will come to Kaunas. Visitors from South Africa are planning to build a new arena in their country, which would meet FIBA standards. They see Zalgiris Arena as the best example of how such venues can be built and managed in the most efficient way.

Also, Mr. Gavin Varejes, the executive director of Richman Holdings investment fund, is planning to visit Zalgiris Kaunas by the end of 2014. Mr. Varejes will explore Lithuanian market and search for specific features on how to contribute to the development of basketball in Lithuania.

The level of basketball in South Africa is increasing rapidly. This can also be explained by the fact that the National Basketball Association (NBA) is dedicating significant efforts and attention to the expansion of this sport in Africa. Former professional basketball player and current executive director of NBA Africa Mr. Amadou Gallo Fall is responsible for the development of the infrastructure, social responsibility initiatives and management of personal lives of the professional athletes within the region.