International ROOTS Festival 2006

Is this trip to Africa for you? By Lahh Woods

We will be bouncing that ball!  It has been said that, “Many are called…and few are chosen.”  Are you a member of the Chosen Few?  In May 2006 a Chosen Few Ballas and the US Goodwill Delegation will travel to West Africa to experience the International Roots Festival.  The festival consists of emotionally powerful Cultural Presentations, Concert Performances, Breathtaking Historic Sites, and the incredible hospitality and beauty of the people of Senegal and Gambia.   The Senegal/Gambia region was a major port of export of millions of kidnapped Africans that were eventually shipped, via the Middle Passage, to the Caribbean Islands, South America and to the urban streets of the United States of America.  When I walked the roads in Senegal, I saw many people who strongly resembled my family members, and friends from NY, PA and MD.  Not only did they look like my homies [in the states]-They actually were my homies!  For many of the chosen few who will travel with us to Africa, this trip will be an international family reunion at the birthplace of their ancestors.  Did I mention that we will be bouncing that ball?

Is this trip for you?  Everything is not for everybody! We are assembling a competitive adult team to play against several regional amateur basketball clubs in Africa.  I’ve seen the ballas in Africa first hand. They’ve got game, fundamentally sound, athletic, but they’re not bringing anything that we haven’t already seen on the blacktops and gyms of NY, DC or VA. So the competitions will be competitive and entertaining.  We are also assembling a staff of coaches and a Goodwill Delegation of positive minded individuals to interact and develop social and economic relationships with West Africa.  We are reaching out to local ballas from across the United States to [1] pack your bags [2]dust off your passport [3] get onboard and in the immortal words of Marvin Gaye, “Let’s Get It On!”  Half-Court, Full-Court, 3-Ball, Free-Throw & Dunk Contest…Is this trip for you? 

Are you feeling this yet?  The International ROOTS Festival 2006 has embraced our interest in producing several inter-continental showcase basketball games, so we can share the athletic and social, experiences of the game we love and embrace.  However, games do not make relationships or define who we are as individuals.  People do.  So let the “Chosen Few” amongst us experience the love and embrace of the people of West Africa, as we “Do Our Thing” on the other side of the Atlantic.  On and off the court, I believe that this is the trip of a lifetime. I believe that every American should travel to Africa and witness the beauty and splendor of a complex and misunderstood continent that has offered and given so much to the world.  Are you really feeling this? I hope so…So start packing those bags and work on that jump shot! Ufoma-Peace.