Basketball
Vincent Ntunja: From Gugulethu to Global Impact, Championing South African Basketball’s Future
The Vincent Ntunja Sports Management in partnership with Battle Between Threes, will host the FIBA 3X3 Tournament in V&A Waterfront, Cape Town on 30 November.
Vincent Ntuja// Image Credit: The Big Tip Off
Vincent Ntunja, the co-founder of the African Grassroots Hoops and director of the Vincent Ntunja Sports Management and Consulting chats with SportsBoom about the forthcoming 3X3 tournament. He also reflects on his basketball journey as he shares his insights on the current state of Basketball in South Africa.
Vincent, a passionate sports enthusiast, is engaged in more than merely coaching basketball, he also dedicates his efforts to business and community empowerment activities. The co-founder of the Non-Profit Organization (NPO) African Grassroots Hoops together with Giovanni Freeman, aims to utilize basketball to help underprivileged youth in the greater good of Cape Town, inspiring them to explore a multitude of opportunities.
Vincent transcends limitations, he mentioned that his NPO gave birth to the founding of Vincent Ntunja Sports Management and Consulting. He explained, "After realising that I was already managing an NPO, focused on mentoring young boys and girls, in collaboration with my friend, Giovanni Freeman, I recognized the need to pursue my own initiatives independently.”
The idea for the company was born, allowing him to organize events. His first client, the V&A Waterfront, will serve as the venue for the upcoming 3X3 FIBA Tournament.
Vincent recalled when Battery Park was opened at the V&A Waterfront, he said, the park is one of the finest outdoor parks in Africa. ‘I was tasked with organizing games and serving as emcee for the event.”
Vincent’s successful event led organizers to approach for assistance with a similar competition, and he is now preparing for the 3X3 tournament in the Mother City later this month.
This tournament in Cape Town is groundbreaking, with Vincent hoping for good weather on the event day at the outdoor court to ensure its success. Basketball fans can enjoy Table Mountain views, music, a vibrant fanbase, and engage with a welcoming audience. t’s an environment that is inviting,
Vincent
Living the Legacy
Vincent’s journey in basketball from Gugulethu to the world is inspiring.
In 1998, he received the MVP award from Michael Jordan at a basketball camp. Despite receiving scholarship offers after, he declined to stay by his mother’s side in South Africa. “I had just lost my father, and I couldn’t allow myself to go through a situation now where the pillar of my strength is gone and now my mother is sick."
He explained the need to return to South Africa to prevent regretting leaving her for his selfish desire to play overseas. “I could not live with myself, so, I came back to South Africa and enrolled in high school, went to varsity, I did so much, winning so many medals, trophies, individual awards, that was a highlight for me.”
He has a basketball court named after him at the Gugulethu Sports Complex for his community contributions, showcasing recognition.
He said that basketball allowed him to pursue his aspirations. Within a year of playing basketball, he was already breaking ground.
I was traveling to Russia and playing World Youth Games, meeting Michael Jordan. I believed that I was being shown a direction in saying this sport is something that you can use for the betterment of yourself and others.
Vincent
Basketball has given him everything and it continues to do so, “it's allowing me to do what I can for people. In that way I feel like the generations will benefit from me being on a planet on Earth, that's what gives me an element of good sleep at night.” With his company, the platform ensures that sporting event happens so that kids can be active.
The future of Basketball in South Africa?
Basketball in South Africa is not as big as cricket, rugby, and soccer, so ideally it is difficult for basketball players in South Africa to get signed, and to get scholarships. However, looking at the time when the likes of Vincent started to play basketball, one would expect that by now South African basketball would have reached new heights to improve.
Vincent Ntunja shares his thoughts: “I think organisational-wise basketball in general needs to do better, and that goes with governance from the district level to the provincial level, we need a working structure that goes and do things that are supposed to be done at all levels including the national level. At the moment, Vincent said that he's not sure if the country is at that stage.
Siyamthanda Pongco, also known as Siya, is a talented writer with three degrees from Rhodes University, including a Postgraduate Diploma from Rhodes University.