The Blick Basketball Academy, founded by Ugandan basketball legend Norman Blick, has launched a countrywide community-driven initiative aimed at empowering less-privileged children with the tools, and support needed to succeed both in sport and academics.
The programme was officially launched at Kisaakye Primary School in Mengo, Kampala, where the academy donated 50 pairs of basketbal shoes, basketballs, jerseys and other training equipment.
Speaking at the launch, Norman Blick said the initiative, branded “Be Strong, Strong Bodies, Strong Minds Through Basketball,” was born out of his experience working with young players who are passionate about the sport but lack basic equipment.
“Most of these kids have the passion to play, but they didn’t have shoes, and it hindered them from enjoying the sport,” Blick said.
He explained that some learners were previously forced to train in unsuitable footwear due to lack of resources.
“At one point, we reached a stage where if you don’t have shoes, you can’t train, and it hurt them a lot. Yet they were still willing to play in sandals. That shows passion,” he added.
Blick said the idea evolved into a shoe-drive initiative inspired by car boot sales he observed in the United Kingdom.
“For my birthday, I thought about what I could do. When I was in the UK, we used to have car boot sales where people bring things they don’t need and sell them cheaply,” he said.
He noted that he engaged his family abroad to help collect sports shoes for children in Uganda.
“I talked to my sister and said, why don’t we go through the summer and pick up shoes for kids, put them together and ship them over,” he said.
Blick added that the initiative will start small but is expected to grow into a nationwide programme.
“Let’s start small with second-hand shoes and, with time, we can make it bigger and even go national,” he said.
Beyond equipment support, he emphasized that basketball plays a critical role in shaping young people’s lives.
“Basketball is very important. Health-wise, it keeps your body active and boosts your mind,” he said.
He added that the sport teaches essential life skills.
“You learn teamwork, you learn how to share, how to work with others, and how to communicate. These are skills you carry into life and work,” he explained.
Blick also expressed hope that grassroots development could produce future national team players.
“If a child starts at 10, by the time they reach 15 or 18, they are already developed. I would love to see some of my players reach the national team,” he said.
He said Kisaakye Primary School was selected due to its readiness and limited extracurricular options.
“The director saw my academy and asked if I could help. They had a confined space, and apart from academics and debating, there was nothing else,” he said.
Blick added that the programme has already shown positive academic impact.
“The teachers told me the P7 learners improved in their weekly tests because they were playing and staying active. That motivated me to continue,” he said.
The Head of Academics at Kisaakye Primary School, Agnes Nassozi, welcomed the initiative, saying it has improved both learning and discipline among pupils.
“It has helped us so much in academics because we always need an active body to support an active brain,” she said.
She added that the school previously relied mainly on debating activities before introducing basketball.
“Before this, the biggest activity was debating and building confidence. Now we have added basketball,” she said.
Nassozi also confirmed that learners have benefited from the previously donated equipment.
“We received shoes, basketballs, and attire for the game. It has helped us a lot,” she said.
