by Press Release:
(Phoenix, AZ) – It is with a heavy heart that we are sad to officially announce that due to the current COVID 19 pandemic, the NABI Foundation has moved forward with the full cancellation of the 18th Annual Native American Basketball Invitational and 2nd Annual Educational Youth Summit (NABI), scheduled for June 21-27, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona.
The decision was based solely on the health and welfare of all the youth and communities we serve.
With the state of Arizona and many parts of the country still considered unsafe, and social gatherings are restricted due to the current virus, the NABI Foundation strongly feels a full cancelation is warranted.
Registered teams will have the option of a full refund or be automatically entered into the 2021 NABI. All teams will receive a communication on the options in the next week.
As this pandemic continues to move across our globe and bring devastation to our tribal nations, we are urging all our communities to abide by the preventative measures that are currently being put in place by our local, national and tribal governments in order to assist in containing and combating the virus. Please continue to protect our most vulnerable and precious elders.
NABI promises to work hard on a “Recovery & Relief” plan to ensure the success of our non-profit and the future of all NABI programs. Once restrictions are lifted, we hope to bring our Jr. NABI Basketball Camps, in partnership with the Jr. Suns & Jr. Mercury, to our local tribal youth, as well as move forward with our fundraising events to include: the NABI Foundation Golf Classic, rescheduled for October 5, 2020 and our 1st Annual NABI Alumni Classic (adult 21 & over) basketball tournament scheduled for December 2020. All proceeds from both events will benefit the Foundation and our 2021 youth programs.
We know this time comes with so much uncertainty, but we will all get through this-together!
On behalf of the NABI Foundation Board of Directors and all our staff; our prayers are with all our tribal nations.
In HOPE,
GinaMarie Scarpa
President & CEO NABI Foundation
Please consider donating to our Recovery & Relief Fund. Click here to donate: https://bit.ly/2JYMn1u
