St. John’s Primary School Korogocho and Olympic Junior School from Nairobi are the inaugural national champions of the M-PESA Jr. NBA basketball tournament, following a thrilling climax to the finals held at the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa on April 11, 2025.
The boys’ final saw St. John’s defeat the host team, Aga Khan Academy, 30–23 in a tightly contested matchup.
Their journey to the final included a dominant 42–20 semifinal victory over Nyanza’s Siaya Central Juniors.
On the girls’ side, Olympic Junior School edged out Migori-based Shelter Academy 19–15 after a 7–7 halftime deadlock.
The Nairobi side had earlier cruised past Central’s Nyamachari Junior in a one-sided semifinal.
Speaking after the final, St. John’s head coach Brian Busaka expressed pride in his team’s resilience.
“Aga Khan had the height advantage, but we played a tactical game, pressing hard and defending smart. It’s an honour to be named Coach of the Year, and I’m proud that the tournament MVP came from our team,” he said.
Olympic Junior’s coach, Ezra Alenga, praised the competition level and the grit shown by his players.
“Teams from Western and Nyanza gave us a real test. In the final, we adjusted at halftime and focused on defense, and that made the difference. This national title means everything.”
In the bronze medal playoffs, Lugulu AC Junior School defeated Nyamachari 38–21 in the girls’ bracket, while St. Joseph’s RC beat Siaya Central 41–25 to claim third place among the boys.
Individual accolades were awarded to Moses Ochieng of St. John’s and Brenda Akinyi of Olympic Junior as the tournament’s Best Players.
Coaches Busaka and Alenga were both named Coaches of the Year in their respective categories.
The national finals capped off the most expansive youth basketball program ever held in Kenya.
Jointly organized by NBA Africa and Safaricom’s M-PESA platform, the M-PESA Jr. NBA initiative tipped off in February and reached over 16,000 youth through a mix of regional competitions, elite camps, financial literacy workshops, and basketball clinics.
The Top 100 Elite Camp, held ahead of the finals, brought together the best 50 boys and 50 girls from Nairobi, Coast, Rift Valley, and Nyanza.
These rising stars underwent skills development, played scrimmages, and participated in scouting sessions, with top performers earning spots on All-Star teams and receiving smartphones and medals.
“This tournament has been about more than sport. It’s about shaping future leaders. Beyond the court, we’ve introduced thousands of students to saving, budgeting, and investing. We believe that youth development must be holistic,” Victor Odada, Head of M-PESA Payments at Safaricom, pointed out on the tournament’s broader vision.
Michael Finley, NBA Africa’s Kenya Country Lead, praised the scope and impact of the program, noting, “We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished in this first season. The raw talent at the grassroots level is astounding. Through partnerships like this, we can elevate basketball in Kenya and open up global pathways for our youth.”
As the final whistle blew in Mombasa, the 2025 edition of the M-PESA Jr. NBA set a new benchmark in Kenyan youth sports. blending competition, education, and empowerment in a model likely to shape the future of talent development nationwide.
