LOME (Togo) - On Saturday, March 28th, 2026, administrators, club presidents, and league officials gathered at the headquarters of the Togo Basketball Federation, this time it was not for competition but for reflection, learning, and a shared ambition—to rebuild Togolese basketball from the inside out.
At the heart of this initiative was the federation's president, Gina Adekambi, whose vision encompasses not only on-court results, but also the underlying systems.
"This is about laying the foundation," said Adekambi. "For too long, we have focused only on competitions, but without strong governance and proper structures, sustainable growth is impossible."
The gathering marked the launch of a six-month capacity-building programme, an initiative that the federation believes could transform the management of basketball across the country.
A shift in focus
In many emerging basketball nations, talent is rarely the issue. Organisation often is.
For FNB-Togo, this has prompted a deliberate shift away from short-term fixes towards long-term institutional reform. The training programme, delivered in monthly sessions, is designed to provide key stakeholders with the tools needed to run clubs and competitions more effectively.
“We are changing the mindset,” explained Adekambi. "We want our club leaders and administrators to think strategically, plan effectively, build partnerships and manage resources efficiently."
The opening session, led by Florent Kataka, set the tone. From governance principles to project structuring and fundraising strategies, the focus was clear: professionalism.
However, it was the level of engagement that really stood out.
"Participants weren’t just listening — they were contributing," said Adekambi. "There was a real hunger to learn, to share experiences, and to find solutions together."
Learning beyond the classroom
The programme's design goes beyond theory. Each session is structured to encourage practical application, ensuring that the lessons learned in Lomé result in tangible improvements within clubs and leagues across the country.
“We don’t want this to remain confined to the classroom,” Adekambi emphasised. “What matters is how these ideas are implemented on the ground.”
The first session brought together 20 participants, a number expected to increase in subsequent editions as interest grows. For many of those present, it was a rare opportunity to take a step back from the day-to-day demands of managing teams and focus instead on long-term planning.
"There is a strong demand for this kind of training," Adekambi noted. "People want to do better — they just need the right tools and guidance."
Measuring progress, building accountability
Unlike many short-term initiatives, FNB-Togo’s programme has a clear system in place for tracking progress.
Participants will be evaluated at the end of the six-month cycle, while the federation will monitor the application of new strategies within their organisations.
“We are introducing a culture of accountability,” said Adekambi. 'It’s not enough to attend a seminar — you must demonstrate an impact.'
The federation also plans to compile a detailed report at the end of the programme and use the findings to refine future initiatives and inform policy decisions
A long-verm Vision
While the ambition is clear, Adekambi knows that achieving meaningful change will take time.
"With consistency, we can start to see results in three to five years," she said. 'But to truly establish ourselves at a strong level in Africa, we must be prepared to invest five to ten years of sustained effort.'
This effort will extend beyond Lomé. Plans are already in place to roll out the programme to other regions, ensuring that the benefits are felt nationwide. Support from technical and financial partners is also expected to play a key role in scaling up the initiative.
More than a program
For FNB-Togo, this training series is more than just that — it is also a statement of intent.
By prioritising governance, the federation hopes that stronger institutions will lead to better competitions, more opportunities for players and greater exposure for the sport.
“This is how you build a system,” said Adekambi.
'When the structures are strong, everything else follows — the performance, the growth and the future of the game.'
And in Lomé, that future may already be taking shape — one workshop, one idea and one committed stakeholder at a time.
FIBA