The iCARRe Foundation is set to provide some of East Africa’s promising Under-15 basketball talents with a platform to showcase their abilities and pursue bigger opportunities when it hosts the inaugural regional edition of the BTG Showcase in Kampala.
The two-day event, scheduled for December 14 and 15, 2026, at Lugogo Indoor Arena, will bring together young boys and girls from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania in an initiative that combines basketball development, talent identification and education.
Beyond the opportunity to compete and demonstrate their skills, the showcase will offer a potential breakthrough for two standout players who will earn contracts with BTG Sports Management Group following the event.
The showcase, which has its origins in the United States, is making its East African debut through a partnership between iCARRe Basketball, an initiative under the iCARRe Foundation, and BTG Sports Management Group.
Uganda will have the biggest representation, with players from six academies, namely iCARRe Basketball Academy, Holy Street Basketball Academy, Watoto Basketball Academy, Cabasa Basketball Academy, Ihoops Basketball Academy and Henrison Basketball Academy.
Kenya will be represented by players from Far East Basketball Academy, while Tanzania will have talents from Tyetye Basketball Academy, completing an interesting line-up.
The programme will feature boys’ and girls’ All-Star games, individual skills challenges and three-point shooting contests, giving the young players an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities in front of a regional audience.
However, the BTG Showcase goes beyond basketball activities, adopting an education-first approach that seeks to develop well-rounded individuals both on and off the court.
Participating players will take part in mandatory sessions focusing on mental resilience, discipline and education, key aspects the organisers believe are essential in shaping young athletes and preparing them for opportunities in sport and life.
The initiative is also rooted in addressing some of the challenges that have limited basketball development among children across East Africa, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds.
Many young people miss out on opportunities to participate in the sport due to limited access to basic facilities, equipment and structured coaching programmes, challenges that have made basketball less accessible to some communities compared to other sports.
In response, the iCARRe Foundation has spent the past two years investing in grassroots development through free holiday basketball training camps and psychosocial support programmes.
The initiative has reached nearly 100 children during each holiday period, providing them with opportunities to develop their basketball skills while benefiting from guidance and support beyond the game.
The camps are conducted under the guidance of one of Uganda’s leading youth basketball coaches, Moses Okwera, who works closely with Tonny Drileba and other coaches in nurturing the young players.
The upcoming showcase builds on this grassroots foundation by extending opportunities to a regional level, allowing young players to interact with peers from neighbouring countries while exposing their abilities to a wider basketball network.
For the participating players, this event offers a chance to showcase the progress of their youth development programs and may serve as a crucial stepping stone toward greater opportunities in basketball.
With two players expected to secure contracts with BTG Sports Management Group, the showcase also introduces a tangible pathway for emerging talent to gain professional representation.
Ultimately, the organisers are looking to use basketball not only as a tool for identifying talent but also as a vehicle for education, personal growth and creating opportunities for young people across East Africa.
The inaugural East African BTG Showcase will take place on December 14 and 15 at Lugogo Indoor Arena in Kampala.
