ICOACHKIDS was proud to contribute to the 2025 African Mini Basketball Forum held in Porto-Novo, Benin, from April 24 to 27. The event brought together over 400 children, 13 coaches from 12 African nations, and 50 local coaches for four days of joyful play, purposeful learning, and impactful coach development.

Supported by the FIBA Foundation and organized by the FIBA Regional Office in Africa in collaboration with the Beninese Basketball Federation, the Forum focused on growing Mini Basketball as a fun, safe, and inclusive space for children aged 5 to 12 to discover the game and build a lifelong love of sport.

Representing ICOACHKIDS and ICCE, Guillermo Calvo led the technical and coach education program, alongside Coaches Touré and Keita, delivering interactive workshops on child-centered coaching, positive learning environments, and long-term engagement. These sessions reflected the core ICK philosophy: that every child deserves a coach who understands, supports, and inspires them.

“This is not just a training event for children,” said Calvo. “It’s a spark for transformation. Coaches are leaving here ready to activate Mini Basketball in their countries, and more importantly, to do so with purpose, joy, and care for children’s wellbeing.”

As part of the learning process, coaches participated in both on-court and classroom-based activities. They explored themes such as play-based learning, physical literacy, inclusive practice, and how to implement developmentally appropriate activities in diverse cultural contexts. Throughout the event, children engaged in fun, engaging sessions that embodied the values of respect, teamwork and curiosity.

The event also featured the participation of Ian Mahinmi, former NBA player and Mini Basketball ambassador, who brought encouragement and visibility to the program, showing children that the journey of basketball begins with joy, not pressure. 

As part of the process, each coach committed to spread the Mini Basketball philosophy by organizing events in their home countries, ensuring that the lessons learned in Porto-Novo would echo far beyond the Forum itself. This is exactly the type of sustainable, coach-led impact that ICOACHKIDS aims to nurture globally.

By participating in initiatives like this, ICOACHKIDS continues to support the global movement toward better coaching for children, rooted in empathy, evidence, and equality. We are proud to stand alongside FIBA and local partners in building a future where every child, regardless of location, has access to the kind of coaching that helps them thrive.