Empower Youth in Senegal with Sports and Education

Site Highlights

Jaxaay — Basketball Camp & Court Inauguration

In Jaxaay, NDAW A. reached a historic milestone by building its first-ever basketball court, in partnership with the Black Student Athlete Summit and Jaxaay Basket Club. The court stands as more than a place to play — it is a hub for mentorship, leadership, and community growth, giving young people in Jaxaay a permanent space to train, connect, and dream. Its creation reflects NDAW A.'s long-term commitment to investing in the communities it serves, ensuring the organization's impact extends far beyond a single camp.

The Jaxaay camp itself brought together young athletes for a day centered on education, life beyond sport, and supporting one another. Every camper received a shirt and a bag (100 in total), along with 50 pairs of shoes distributed to help meet a real need in the community. Beyond the drills and games, the camp emphasized discipline, teamwork, and the belief that basketball can be a foundation for something bigger.

Thies — Camp

In Thies, NDAW A. hosted a high-energy camp built around engaging drills, skill development, and a competitive 3v3 tournament that brought out the very best in every camper. Alongside the action on the court, the program stayed true to NDAW A.'s mission of pairing sports with education, reinforcing discipline, teamwork, and growth beyond the game. Each camper left with a shirt and a bag, and 80 pairs of shoes were distributed to support the community.

Yoff — NDAW A.'s Biggest Camp Ever

In Yoff, NDAW Academie hosted its biggest camp to date, bringing together over 130 boys and girls for a day of energy, connection, and growth. The camp was designed to bridge different communities and unite the youth of Senegal under one shared purpose. Motivation, discipline, education, and supporting one another were emphasized throughout — values that go far beyond basketball.

International School of Dakar — Camps & Leadership Panel

NDAW A., in partnership with the Black Student Athlete Summit, brought its mission to the International School of Dakar (ISD) through a multi-day event combining a basketball camp, a soccer camp, and a conference — bringing together student-athletes for a full experience of sport, mentorship, and education. This was an opportunity to expand NDAW A.'s reach beyond basketball alone, showing young people that the same values of discipline, teamwork, and ambition apply across every sport and every path.

Basketball Camp

As an ISD alumnus, Colin Lamine returned to host a basketball camp on campus, working with over 50 student-athletes. His presence added a special layer of inspiration, showing current students what's possible when someone from their own school goes on to compete at a high level. The camp focused on skill-building, competition, and the mindset needed to grow as both an athlete and a student.

Girls Soccer Camp

Dieynaba Ndaw, also an ISD alumna and a member of the Senegalese National Team, led an all-girls camp at ISD. Her journey from ISD to the national stage made her a powerful role model for the girls in attendance, proving that opportunity and excellence are within reach. The camp created a space for girls to build confidence, sharpen their skills, and see themselves reflected in someone who made it to the highest level of the sport.

Student-Athlete Leadership Panel

NDAW A. also hosted a panel focused on life as a student-athlete, giving students direct insight into the realities of balancing academics and sport. The discussion covered the seven common mistakes college students make, along with honest conversations about the college student-athlete experience and what it's really like to navigate that path academically, athletically, and personally. It was a chance for students to hear real experiences and walk away better prepared for their own journeys ahead.

Conference at the West African Research Center (WARC)

History was made in Senegal at NDAW A.'s first-ever conference, held at WARC, bringing together over 70 student-athletes from universities and high schools across the country, alongside student-athletes from the U.S. — all united by a shared mission of learning, leadership, and sport. Conversations went beyond the game, diving into breaking into the sports industry, the power of networking, and chasing purpose both on and off the court.

The conference was presented in partnership with the Black Student Athlete Summit and marked the start of a new chapter for student-athlete development in Senegal. It was made unforgettable by an incredible lineup of speakers and mentors, including Astou Ndiaye, the first Senegalese WNBA player and Olympian; Aminata Diene, leading Decathlon Senegal; Lamine Michel Savane, a veteran sports executive and CEO of Vision 21 Sports Consulting; Amy Sarr Fall, a leading human rights advocate; Oumy Diop of Femme et Filles; Abou Ngame of COJOJ Dakar 2026; and Fatou Kiné N'Diaye, a Franco-Senegalese basketball legend and founder of Pulse Africa. Each leader poured time, wisdom, and experience into the next generation, leaving an impact that will ripple far beyond that room.

Sponsors & Partners

NDAW A.'s mid-year impact was made possible by the generosity of its sponsors and partners: IMG Academy, the Black Student Athlete Summit (powered by Playfly Sports), William & Mary, the National Basketball Club (NBC), the University of Miami, Laicran, the International School of Dakar, Duke University, Florida, Sole Purpose, the Basketball Africa League (BAL), and Play It Forward.

Their support has allowed NDAW A. to provide shoes, gear, mentorship, and opportunities to over 1,300 youth this year. Together, these partnerships are not only building athletes, but shaping leaders, students, and changemakers for the future.

Looking Ahead

With its first basketball court now open in Jaxaay, an expanding multi-sport model at ISD, and a first successful conference behind it, NDAW A. enters the second half of 2026 with new infrastructure, new partnerships, and a growing network of student-athletes across Senegal and beyond. This is only the beginning.