Pangaea Holdings, in collaboration with Youth Basketball League Hosts Crossover Foundation and NBA Star Precious Achiuwa

By Ceaser Siwale – Executive

Lusaka, Zambia—In a remarkable demonstration of commitment to youth development and sports excellence, Pangaea Holdings, in collaboration with the Youth Basketball League hosted the Crossover Foundation and NBA Star, Precious Achiuwa in Lusaka from Saturday, August 3rd, to Monday, August 5th, 2024. The event brought together budding ballers aged 10 to 18 from across the country for an intensive and inspiring three-day training experience. The camp comprised of 160 youths of which 60% were boys and 40% girls.

The camp was led by none other than Precious Achiuwa, a current forward with the New York Knicks, and his brother Godsgift Achiuwa, a former collegiate player with St. John’s University. The Achiuwa brothers, through their Crossover Foundation, have been instrumental in providing opportunities for young athletes in Africa, North America and Europe to develop their basketball skills while also promoting education and personal development.

An Unforgettable Experience for Zambia’s Young Athletes

Over the course of three days, the young participants were treated to world-class coaching and mentorship. The camp focused on developing fundamental basketball skills, including dribbling, shooting, defense, and teamwork. But it wasn’t just about the physical aspects of the game—Precious and Godsgift emphasized the importance of mental toughness, discipline, communication and a strong work ethic, qualities that are essential both on and off the court.

The Achiuwa brothers also took time to share their personal journeys from playing basketball in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, to making it to the heights of professional basketball in the United States. Their stories resonated deeply with the young athletes, many of whom dream of following in their footsteps.

A Collaborative Effort for Youth Empowerment

The event was a resounding success, not only because of the high level of basketball instruction provided but also due to the collaborative spirit in which it was conducted. Pangaea Holdings played a pivotal role in bringing the Crossover Foundation to Zambia, recognizing the potential for sports to be a powerful tool for youth empowerment. This partnership is seen as a long-term commitment to nurturing young talent in Zambia and providing them with opportunities that could change the trajectory of their lives.

Godsgift Achiuwa expressed his gratitude for the warm reception they received in Zambia and the enthusiasm shown by the participants. “This camp is just the beginning,” he said. “We see so much potential in these young players, and we are committed to coming back and continuing to support their growth.”

Looking Ahead

As the camp concluded, the impact on the participants was palpable. Many expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to learn from such accomplished players and mentors. The event has set a new standard for sports development programs in Zambia, and the hope is that this camp will be the first of many such initiatives.

Pangaea Holdings, along with the Crossover Foundation and The Youth Basketball League, are already in discussions about future collaborations to ensure that the momentum generated by this camp continues to grow. Next year we will need bigger facilities 