President Michel Martelly, received this Friday, June 10, 2011 at the National Palace, a delegation led by the Haitian-American basketball player, Samuel Dalembert [player with Sacramento Kings in the NBA] to explore the ways and means to revive basketball in Haiti.

The Head of State, which has committed to implement a program to build sports centers across the country, has appreciated the spirit of solidarity shown by his interlocutors. A monitoring committee has been formed during this meeting. This committee is composed of Samuel Dalembert, Laurent Lamothe, Regine René, Christopher Cluns, Claude Demesmin and Ralph Dorce Dorléans.

Following this meeting, at a press conference, Samuel Dalembert has committed to building a sports complex in Haiti. "This will be a center where young people can combine sport and studies" declared the basketball player, who believes that this project could be designed on the model of the international organization of youth YMCA. According to Dalembert, sites have already been considered by the Government, particularly in Cité Soleil. This project, whose cost remains to estimate, will be financed by the foundation of Samuel Dalembert.

"It's a dream that we all loved and is for children, children who are in the streets, children who have no opportunity, is for kids, which we believe are the future. We are happy to be here and with the partnership we have done with UNICEF, the American Embassy and the NBA, we believe that we will reach our goal. This reminds me a little story when I was young, when we wanted to play football, children remove all stones in the streets, but now back after some years, the opportunity that I had when I was young no longer exists in the same way. But I think that with the effort that we all do together, we will give these children the opportunity to play and grow."

The former American player Nykesha Sales [six time WNBA All-Star] and Christopher Cluny, representative of the NBA, said they were "excited" by their first visit to Haiti. "I am very honored to work with Dalembert, so passionate by his country, which wants to bring basketball here. There are so many things that this sport can do for children and even adult", stressed Nykesha Sales.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-3133-haiti-sports-les-stars-du-basket-americains-en-haiti.html

BF/ HaitiLibre