It’s been a little over a month since P.H.A.S.E.1 established its first academy in Burundi, Africa, but the excitement about the possibilities it brought has not waned in the Burundian Basketball community.
Technical Director of the Academy Hakizimana Alexis says he’s already seeing the difference in the Burundian basketball players and coaches who took part in the camp put on by P.H.A.S.E 1 in August, and who are now a part of the academy.
“The athletes-kids, boys and girls were so amazed to hear P.H.A.S.E.1 was going to have an academy in Burundi and they were trained by Coach Wayne and Curtis for 10 days. We saw the difference because these Coaches were focused on details and excellence,” he said.
He added; “The kids realised it was a great opportunity to know from people who have already achieved something.”
The academy is located in the city of Bujumbura and is P.H.A.S.E 1’s first on the African continent.
Alexis shared that they have since had two training sessions, and the coaches trained at the camp have been keeping in touch with Wayne Dawkins and his team.
He said he believes P.H.A.S.E 1 created a much-needed foundation for the development of Burundian basketball that he hopes other interests will help to build on.
Alexis asserts that the resources provided by the academy will help produce world-class basketball players from Burundi.
“From P.H.A.S.E1 Burundi we hope, there will come a future for another Joel Embid and Maya Moore, that’s our expectations.”- Hakizimana Alexis
As a former basketball player himself, Alexis said he is pleased to see the changes being made for the new generation of players. And as he transitions to a coach, he’s confident that the resources provided by P.H.A.S.E.1 will only make him better.
“I am convinced that through this connection, I will do things better than I used to do. I am (I will) learn much about Management skills, Basketball skills, Planning and organising Major events, pushing kids to do more than they suppose they can and with heart.”