Afraa Kori
With the return of Elevate’s 24/7 tour to China, underprivileged athletes are one step closer to living out their dream of becoming a professional basketballer.
This annual tour was developed in 2019, out of a need for more junior basketball opportunities.
The China tour runs from September 22 to October 5, where underprivileged athletes will play against Taiyuan, China high school talents and semi professional teams.
Founder of Elevate 24/7, Chol Dut said the organisation and China tour paves the way for local players to explore the basketball market, beyond the traditional US tours.
“The majority of the tours from Australia usually head to the USA, so that’s obviously the milestone. But I think what makes us unique is that we’re the only program that continues to take juniors to China and our team is the only one that plays against semi-professional teams.
“Even though they’re under 18 years old, it allows us to see where the kids are at. It’s also an eye-opener for the players to see whether they can make it professionally or where their skill level is at, which motivates them once they come back into the country to see what kind of work there is and how far they have to go.“
Another unique feature is that the China tour promotes cultural exchange, not just professional gain.
“There was excitement from the kids, because the majority of them have never actually left the state or even left the country,“ Mr Dut said.
“But it’s not just about basketball, it’s about them learning about other cultures as well. And then just seeing the opportunities that they can gain in other countries in terms of either basketball, media or whatever revenue they want to go into. Just to kind of build those relationships while they’re young.“
Mr Dut drew 15 players from local and interstate clubs, which includes Longhorns, Pro Hoops, Book Management, Wild Beast, Players First, and Warriors.
“The players were selected from the junior programs we work and associate with. The players were also selected on their skill level, commitment, work ethic and communication,” he said.
The team final list included Caroline Springs’ Venice Roberts, Gosh Ayiik and Guer Bar; Deer Park’s Ajak Ajak; Braybook’s Garang Newar; Werribee’s Korbyn Chukwuemeka and Shadi Firea; Sunshine West’s Deng Malek Deng and Raphael Gebremariam; and Melton’s Adier Job, Ring Magok and Mayom Magok. It also includes Coburg’s Gabriel Osman, and Zein Osman, and Wodonga’s Frank Oguche.
Guer ,16, said he was excited to play in the international court and fulfil his childhood dream.
“Being selected to play on the China Elevate Tour for the very first time is truly an honour, I’m definitely excited and will cherish this experience. Going on this trip will be a great chance for our team to showcase our skill, represent Australia and my home country South Sudan,” he said.
“Playing against top Chinese basketball teams is what I’m most excited about, competing against those who will give us a tough game to win will be a good experience. Who knows we may get there and dominate with the squad we have, definitely won’t be easy though.
Caroline Springs’ coach, Ely Tom said unprivileged athletes require more support to reach their full potential.
“I’ve always been passionate about giving back to the next generation, and this tour offers a chance to share my experiences and guide young athletes. My goal is to help them grow, not only as basketball players but as individuals, by exposing them to new opportunities and challenges,” he said.
“With underprivileged athletes, I focus on offering support through private conversations and one-on-one sessions. I find that they’re more open and honest in a personal setting, which allows me to understand their needs better and find ways to make their lives easier. This individualised attention helps me build trust and offer the guidance they might not feel comfortable asking for in a group environment.”
