The National Basketball Association (NBA) and FLASH Entertainment – the GCC’s premier live events company – today announced an exciting partnership to bring a series of NBA events to Abu Dhabi.

The events will culminate in a three-day interactive basketball festival known globally as NBA Jam Session, which will take place on Yas Island as part of the Yas Island Show Weekends; a five-weekend programme of major concerts and free entertainment running across Yas Island throughout 2010 and organized by FLASH.

The NBA Jam Session, running from Dec 2 – 4, will include an exciting range of quality activities for fans of all ages and skill levels including exclusive appearances by an NBA Legend, along with performances by one of the NBA’s famous “dunk teams.” Fans will have the opportunity to snap up NBA prizes, attend autograph sessions and enjoy live music and DJ performances throughout the day.

In the build-up to this unique sports event, NBA and FLASH will hold a series of grassroots basketball events across Abu Dhabi, which will expand the basketball expertise for local coaches and youth and will be led by the NBA Legend. Beginning on Nov. 29, these will include a coaches training clinic as well as sessions for elite UAE players selected by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and UAE Basketball Federation. The players clinic will be open to boys and girls and focus on basketball skills development and supporting the healthy lifestyle choice message.

Speaking from the Yas Hotel at the launch of the Yas Island Show Weekends, John Lickrish, Managing Director of FLASH Entertainment talked about the importance of the partnership;

”FLASH have always welcomed sporting partnerships that deliver quality, competitive entertainment but also stimulate grassroots development and growth in the community. This NBA programme does just that; combining clinics, coaching sessions and important work with our own Sports Council and Federation, with a three-day spectacular of high-energy basketball action, all led by an NBA Legend. As the event is free, we are looking forward to all ages and backgrounds coming to Yas Island to enjoy this fantastic festival of basketball”

Speaking alongside Mr Lickrish, NBA Managing Director for the Middle East Aly El Hamamsy spoke on behalf of the NBA;

“We are excited to work with FLASH Entertainment to bring more NBA events to our fans in the United Arab Emirates. Through the launch of these events, and by working with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the UAE Basketball Federation, we will continue to develop basketball in the country and promote the values of sportsmanship and teamwork that are inherent to our game.”

Today’s announcement is not the first time NBA and FLASH have worked together. In March, NBA Global Ambassador and 18-year NBA veteran Dikembe Mutombo conducted a clinic for 30 basketball players at the American International School in Abu Dhabi. The NBA and FLASH ran the clinic, which included boys and girls ages 13 to 18 participating in drills focused on basketball fundamentals and skill development, while promoting fitness and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

The NBA Jam Session is part of The Yas Island Show Weekends, and will run from Thursday 2nd December to Saturday 4th December on Yas Island at the newly opened FLASH Forum venue. The three-day event is free to the public and is open from midday to 9pm each day. For further information on the Yas Island Show Weekends, visit www.yasisland.com. To find out more about the NBA visit www.nba.com.
 

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