Alaminos city: The United States (US) Embassy in the Philippines held a youth basketball clinic and leadership forums in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, under the Department of State's Sports Envoy Program on Tuesday. This initiative strengthens people-to-people ties between Filipinos and Americans through their shared love for sports, while inspiring the next generation of leaders, said Deputy Director of Public Engagement, US Embassy in the Philippines George Mesthos, in an interview.

According to Philippines News Agency, the program promotes leadership through sports with the future generation in the Philippines and aims to build US-Philippine friendship for 80 years and beyond. Mesthos noted the enthusiasm Filipinos have for basketball, making it an ideal platform to bring in champions from the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the WNBA for this initiative.

American basketball pros Sam Vincent, an NBA champion with the Boston Celtics in 1986, and Taj McWilliams-Franklin, a two-time Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) champion with the Detroit Shock in 2008 and the Minnesota Lynx in 2011, showcased their skills and empowered young Filipino athletes and leaders. Both Vincent and McWilliams-Franklin, who transitioned to coaching after their successful playing careers, led the basketball clinics for high schoolers and leadership seminars for Sangguniang Kabataan members in Alaminos City.

Mesthos emphasized the significance of supporting the SK, noting their role as the future leaders of the Philippines. He highlighted how the values obtained from sports like basketball can be applied to various professional settings.

Alaminos City Mayor Arth Bryan Celeste expressed gratitude to the US Embassy for organizing the event, acknowledging the unifying power of basketball. Participant Maricar Mendez shared that she learned discipline through the clinic and was inspired to improve her skills, aspiring for a scholarship through basketball.

The US Department of State's Sports Envoy Program sends professional athletes to engage communities worldwide, promoting people-to-people ties and empowering future athletes as leaders through sports. Since its inception in 2005, the program has facilitated over 300 envoys representing 24 different sports to deliver impactful programs and strengthen bilateral relations.