by PHOENIX – NABI Foundation has added yet another program to their already expansive menu. Known for their quality programs that serve Native American youth, the NABI Foundation will be launching their first annual NABI Educational Youth Summit with a slew of impressive speakers and presenters. Sam McCracken, General Manager of Nike’s N7 program, will fittingly kick off the summit as the first presenter. Nike N7 (Native American line) has been a sponsor of NABI since NABI’s inception in 2003.
“Our foundation’s mission and enhanced focus will be on EDUCATION. The love of basketball will continue to be the hook that unites over 1,300 tribal youth for a week of positive messages and higher educational opportunities” says President & CEO GinaMarie Scarpa. This summer two NABI Alumni will be awarded $10,000 each through the NABI Foundation College Scholarship Fund.
NABI week officially starts on Sunday, June 23 from 6:00-9:00 PM at Ultra Star Multi-tainment Center at AkChin Circle in Maricopa, Ariz. where over 1,300 youth will participate in NABI’s opening ceremonies and parade of tribal flags that include two youth groups from Mexico and Italy participating in NABI as part of the Foundation’s new cultural exchange program. The opening ceremonies event along with all NABI games are open to the public.
The Native American Basketball Invitational (NABI), will tip-off on Monday, June 24 at gyms in the Ak-Chin Indian Community and Maricopa, Ariz. This summer’s invitational will again feature 128 teams (from grades 10-12), comprised of athletes representing over 300 tribes from North America, Canada and New Zealand who will compete in over 300 basketball games from June 24-29.
NABI Championship games will take place on Saturday, June 29 at Talking Stick Resort Arena, home of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury. Door open at 10:00 AM.
The NABI invitational continues to be the largest national premier basketball tournament showcasing Native American and indigenous youth and the first to become certified by the NCAA (2007).
For more information about schedule of events, game schedules, locations, admission fees and how to donate and/or become a sponsor visit www.NABIFoundation.org.
Other NABI sponsors include: Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, Talking Stick Resort Arena, City of Maricopa, Steward Health Care, Bank of American, Native Health, Arizona Diamondbacks, Universal Insurance Programs, Tohono O’dham Nation, Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe, National Indian Gaming Association, Seneca Nation of Indians, Fry’s Food Stores, DEA, Waste Management/Phoenix Open, Rosette LLP, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, KONE Elevators, A.R. Mays Construction, Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, Gun Lake Tribe, Helios Education Foundation & APS.
