Gambia and Serekunda West guard pointer Mariama Bella Jallow is back from Egypt, where the 2025 FIBA Youth Camps for boys and girls in Africa was hosted.
Bella, winner of bronze with the Gambia U16 national team and silver at the Plus Jeuf 3×3 tournament, became the fourth Gambian girl to participate in the fourth edition of the FIBA Youth Camp in Africa from the smiling coast.
Cairo, Egypt’s capital, was chosen as the next generation of African basketball uprising talents gathered at the Hassan Moustafa Sports Hall in what is FIBA’s commitment to nurturing young players through high-level training and a well-rounded education. This camp gathered 40 young athletes across 20 African countries between the ages of 15 and 17.
The five-day camp left an impact on Bella as the Alkamba Times sports desk asked for her reactions.
“This camp has had a big impact on me. It helped me grow not only as a player but also as a person. I learned new basketball skills, discipline, teamwork, and how to stay focused under pressure. Meeting experienced coaches and players from different countries opened my eyes to new ways of playing and thinking about the game. It also gave me confidence and motivation to work even harder for future opportunities.” She emphasized
At her age, Mariama is already with a prospect, a double national champion winner with both Kotu Blue Ninjas and Serekunda West, runner-up winner at the NAYCONF. Giving her the edge in the trials, impressing in the domestic tryouts, and catching the attention of FIBA Africa for a slot in the youth camp.
“The trials were tough and very competitive because every girl wanted to go to camp just as much as I did. But what made me happiest was that after sending the videos and information of the two players chosen from the trials, FIBA decided to keep me.”
Fanta Minteh (Senegal, 2021), Tida Minteh (Rwanda, 2023), and Zainab Mboob (Abidjan, 2024) were the Gambian girls that represented the Gambia in the previous editions of the FIBA Youth camps.
“I feel very happy and proud to represent The Gambia. It’s a huge privilege and opportunity for me to meet top coaches, learn from them, and connect with players from different countries and have an amazing exposure to the game I love.”
While in Egypt, Bella and colleagues were working on the off-field development, such as mental preparation, physical wellbeing, leadership, community life, and personal hygiene. These are seen as essential tools to help young athletes navigate both sport and society as future ambassadors.
