Thurl Bailey Brings Hoops to the DRC

Retired pro baller/commentator Thurl Bailey recently traveled to central Africa to spread hoops, focusing on the ways basketball can encourage growth and improved self-esteemed. The humanitarian organization TIFIE writes: “Former NBA player and sports commentator Thurl Bailey recently visited The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to encourage young people to get involved in basketball and to support ongoing charitable activities of TIFIE Humanitarian. With his visit focusing on introducing the sport of basketball to the youth of the DRC, Bailey conducted basketball camps and oversaw a youth tournament. In meetings with National Sports Ministry officials, Bailey discussed ways that basketball can be used to improve the self-esteem, growth and progress of youth in this war-torn country, as well as act as a positive past time activity. ‘I feel that basketball can be a doorway to teach young men and young women, no matter where they are from, how to show up in their lives,’ Thurl Bailey said. ‘It’s my hope that we can use the sport I love to make a difference in the life of at least one young man or woman and help them understand how powerful they truly are.’ While Thurl was in the DRC he also helped deliver and install 80 donated desks at a village school in the area of Dumi.”