Her evident drive and passion for the social movement of basketball granted her the chance to also become part of the global, BAL4Her mentorship program.

As a participant in the program, her responsibilities include actively engaging in sessions made possible by the partnership of SpeakUp Africa and BAL, as well as attending meetings with her assigned mentor.

Her selection allowed her the chance to be mentored by former WNBA star and current Vice President of the Boston Celtics Team Operations and Organizational Growth, Allison Feaster.

The one-on-one sessions are where Fatuma discusses valuable strategies for advancing her career goals with her mentor. She emphasized how she found so much significance in the mentorship program in furthering one’s career prospects.

“Being a FIBA Foundation Youth Leader has propelled me into spaces where I am more sure of myself, and the footprint I want to leave behind as a sportsperson, and more so, as a female representative for younger girls who are looking for representation in all aspects of the basketball society” Mukamugema shared.

She had the opportunity to embark on a 4-day trip to visit her mentor in the United States, establishing crucial connections with individuals who can aid in her pursuit of a successful career as a Youth Leader, Coach, and hopefully one day, as a mentor herself.

During her participation in the program, she gained valuable insights into leadership, marketing, and effective communication.

Basketball For Good towards achieving SDG 3; Good Health and Well-being

“My experience as a member of the BB4G movement has imparted knowledge on utilizing basketball and available resources to address critical issues in my community and promote unity for a positive cause, such as achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Fatuma’s project, “Basketball End Malnutrition”, utilizes basketball as a medium to educate individuals in her community about good health and well-being, with a particular emphasis on malnutrition.

Observations have revealed that many athletes in her village, Bugesera, suffer from stunted growth, hindering their advancement towards their goals. The main aim of the project is thus to educate parents on effective nutrition practices for their children from birth.

“ To me, Basketball for Good embodies the concept of utilizing basketball as a powerful tool to educate, help, and bring individuals in my community together to collaborate to find solutions for prevalent issues and achieve a better future for all. “

Fatuma is currently in the planning process of expanding her project to include more collaborative ventures with other local Youth Leaders to increase her reach and keep educating local children about the game, whilst working towards the SDGs she has in sight.

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The FIBA Foundation recognizes the importance of sustainable development and is dedicated to supporting initiatives that align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by using Basketball For Good.