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Basketball Africa League to Host Series of Youth Development, Community Service and Business Events during 2022 BAL Playoffs and Finals

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2022 BAL Finals on Saturday, May 28 at 12:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. CAT will air in Africa on ESPN, Canal+, VisionView TV and Voice of America (VOA) Radio

KIGALI, Rwanda, May 21, 2022/ — Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD), New Fortress Energy (NFE), RwandAir and Visit Rwanda to Support Events and Activations During 2022 BAL (www.theBAL.com ). Playoffs and Finals fromMay 21-28 in Kigali, Rwanda; 2022 BAL Finals on Saturday, May 28 at 12:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. CAT Will Air in Africa on ESPN, Canal+, VisionView TV and Voice of America (VOA) Radio, and Around the World on American Forces Network (AFN), ESPNews, NBA TV International, Tencent Sports, TSN, the NBA App, NBA.com and NBA.com/BAL.

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) today announced a series of youth development, community service and business events that will take place during the 2022 BAL Playoffs and Finals, which tip off today at Kigali Arena in Rwanda and will culminate with the second BAL Finals on Saturday, May 28 at 12:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. CAT. 

Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD), New Fortress Energy (NFE), RwandAir and Visit Rwanda will collaborate with the BAL to support events and activations throughout the week.  The BAL’s roster of world-class partners includes Foundational Partners NFE, Rwanda Development Board (RDB), NIKE, Jordan Brand and Wilson; and official partners Air Senegal, Attorney General Alliance (AGA) – Africa, Destination Senegal, Envol City and Hennessy.

The single-elimination BAL Playoffs will feature the top eight teams from the league’s Sahara and Nile Conferences group phases hosted in Dakar, Senegal (March 5-15) and Cairo, Egypt (April 9-19), respectively. Tickets for the BAL Playoffs and Finals are on sale now in several categories, including group tickets, premium tickets and standard tickets.  Fans can purchase tickets by visiting BAL.NBA.com/BAL-kigali-ticketing.

Below are highlights of the week’s events and activations:

Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD)

The BAL will collaborate with AFD to promote “Alley-Oop Africa,” an original docuseries and awareness campaign for African youth that highlights how sports and athletes can drive positive behavioral change in support of sustainable development, health and gender equality.  Twenty boys and girls from seven African countries took part in the recording of the docuseries in March 2022, several of whom will participate in youth development and basketball activities during the BAL Playoffs and Finals.  The docuseries will air later this year with additional details and distribution plans to be announced at a later date.

RwandAir

Returning as the Official Airline Partner of the 2022 BAL Playoffs and Finals, RwandAir is facilitating travel to and from Kigali for BAL teams, staff and guests.

BAL Environmental Day of Service

The first BAL Environmental Day of Service projects took place at Umusambi Village in Kigali from May 19-20.  Seven BAL teams attended the event, where they explored the Umusambi Village and planted tree seedlings as part of the league’s Three for Trees initiative in partnership with NFE.  For every three-pointer made during the BAL season, the BAL and NFE will donate three trees to be planted in the home country of the BAL team with the most made three-pointers throughout the season.

BAL4Her

The third BAL4Her Day, in partnership with Visit Rwanda, will take place tomorrow and bring together 50 young women from six local organizations to take part in a workshop and networking session with female leaders from the sports industry focused on building careers in sports.  The workshop will include a panel discussion with NBA Vice President and Country Head of Nigeria Gbemisola Abudu and group discussions with 13 females across the sports industry.  After the workshop, participants will take part in a networking session with BAL staff before receiving a VIP game-day experience at the Zamalek – S.L.A.C game.

BAL Coaches Clinic

On Sunday, May 22 and Monday, May 23, Indiana Pacers assistant coach Lloyd Pierce and Detroit Pistons assistant coach Bill Bayno will lead a BAL Coaches Clinic for more than 70 basketball coaches from the local community.  The clinic will offer tools and strategies to help the coaches enhance their player basketball development curriculum.  Coaches who are unable to attend in-person can also join the clinic via Zoom by registering here.

BAL Innovation Summit

The inaugural BAL Innovation Summit in conjunction with Africa Day on Wednesday, May 25 will bring together African leaders from business, entertainment, sports, social entrepreneurship and beyond to discuss the enormous growth opportunities on the continent.  The event, which will be held at the Kigali Convention Centre, will highlight the creative identities of Africa through the lens of arts, culture, heritage, business and innovation, and mobilize the individuals who have the power to unlock opportunities and build toward a stronger and more connected Africa of tomorrow.

BAL Elevate Showcase

The inaugural BAL Elevate Showcase will feature top prospects from NBA Academy Africa taking on the U-23 Rwanda National Team at Kigali Arena on Friday, May 27 at 9:30 p.m. CAT.  The game, which will showcase the next generation of African players, will air live in Africa on ESPN Africa, Canal + and Visionary TV, in the U.S. on ESPN+, and around the world on NBA TV International.  The game will also livestream on the NBA App, NBA.com and NBA.com/BAL.

In the opening game of the 2022 BAL Playoffs, Angola’s Petro de Luanda (4-1) will take on Morocco’s AS Salé (3-2) at 8:30 a.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CAT, followed by Rwanda’s REG (4-1) against Cameroon’s F.A.P (2-3) at noon ET / 6 p.m. CAT.  The quarterfinals will continue tomorrow with Tunisia’s US Monastir (4-1) facing South Africa’s Cape Town Tigers (2-3) at 8:30 a.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CAT, followed by defending BAL champion Zamalek of Egypt (5-0) against Guinea’s S.L.A.C (2-3) at noon ET / 6 p.m. CAT.

Winners of the quarterfinal matchups will meet in the semifinals on May 25 for the chance to advance to the 2022 BAL Finals, which will air in Africa on ESPN, Canal+, VisionView TV and Voice of America (VOA) radio, and around the world on American Forces Network (AFN), ESPNews, NBA TV International, Tencent Sports, TSN, the NBA App, NBA.com and NBA.com/BAL.

2022 Basketball Africa League Playoffs and Finals Hype Video – https://bit.ly/38BLyf9 (Credit: BAL)


Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Basketball Africa League (BAL).

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Original Feeds Original: Ruberto Scholtz, Sindiso Nyoni, Rowan Sakarombe and Botswana Metalheads from Southern Africa join KFC Streetwise

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1 month ago

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March 6, 2025

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KFC

The campaign, which launches on 06 March 2025 across SADC regions, also features a packaging collaboration between KFC Streetwise

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 6, 2025/APO Group/ –Cultural Creators from three of South Africa’s neighbouring countries feature in KFC (https://Global.KFC.com) Streetwise’s new Original Feeds Original campaign, which celebrates the inspiration that feeds creativity.

Windhoek fashion designer Ruberto Scholtz, Harare visual director Rowan Sakarombe and the Botswana Metalheads feature in the campaign’s epic TV commercial (https://apo-opa.co/41przaO), which stars Khuli Chana, Blxckie and 25K. The commercial’s soundtrack https://apo-opa.co/4ks07ll is a new song, the Originals Anthem, written and recorded by the rappers.

“Just as KFC’s Streetwise brand takes its inspiration from the iconic taste of KFC’s Original Recipe – while adding bucketloads of value for a new generation – the film depicts Khuli, Blxckie and 25K inspiring each other and those who will follow them,” says KFC Africa Chief Marketing Officer Grant Macpherson. “The Cultural Creators are part of the same powerful narrative.”

Scholtz, who made the suits Blxckie and 25K wear in the photoshoot scene in the TV commercial, is inspired by collaborations. “If you see someone who can do something well, why not work with them?” he says.

Sakarombe appears in the film shooting the Originals Anthem music video in the street with Khuli Chana, Blxckie and 25K. He says he’s inspired by the “raw experiences of life around me” and the vibrant energy, constant motion and diverse cultures of cities.

The Originals Anthem inspires the Botswana Metalheads – whose music often contains local influences and whose style reflects cowboy culture – to infuse their originality and give it a heavy metal angle.

The campaign, which launches on 06 March 2025 across SADC regions, also features a packaging collaboration between KFC Streetwise and Cultural Creator Sindiso Nyoni, a Bulawayo-born illustrator who has built a stellar career after being inspired by an “original” – his high school art teacher, a retired graphic designer.

Making a mark

Macpherson says it’s a time when young people are hungry to share their unique signature with the world. “Who better to feed their hunger than the originals who came before them?” he says.

“We want the Originals Anthem and all the activity around it to inspire all the young Africans trying to make their mark through their creativity and individuality.”

Khuli Chana says that as one of the legends of South African hip-hop, he’s passionate about inspiring new artists. “The reason I started Maftown Heights in 2009 was to help rappers from Mahikeng find their footing in Joburg with a sound and language that wasn’t mainstream at the time,” he says. “It led to great things and it’s still giving new artists a platform. I love inspiring musicians to find their original sound.”

We want the Originals Anthem and all the activity around it to inspire all the young Africans trying to make their mark through their creativity and individuality

Blxckie says his career and development has been built on collaborations, and every one of them keeps him original. “Musicians lift each other up,” he says. “They support each other and make each other better at what they do.”

25K was introduced to rap by artists such as DJ Mojava, Ghetto Squad, and old school hip-hop groups Dead Prez and Outcast, and became an original by rapping in S’Pitori, a mixed language spoken in Pretoria.

“I want to be remembered for that and I want to inspire kids,” he says. “When I’m no longer here, I want to feel like I left something that will make it easier for another kid to come out of Pretoria.”

Other Cultural Creators who appear in the Original Feeds Original TV commercial include Kind Kid toymaker Sanele Qwabe, “Nail Pimp” Nailed Ntswembu, the Island Gals skateboarders and custom car pimper Ofentse Mphatsoe.

Passing the torch

The commercial begins with Khuli starting to write the Originals Anthem and ends with him as the OG, welcoming Blxckie and 25K on stage and handing the mic to them.

“It’s the story of my life and it’s the story of KFC Streetwise,” says Khuli. “Passing the mic is like passing the torch, and that’s how Original Feeds Original.”

Director Sam Coleman says the 90-second video portrays the endless cycle of inspiration, in which each creator is galvanised by the ones before and motivates those who follow. “It’s an explosive mix of visual eye candy, entertainment, musical reward, style, and unique brand integration that instantly hijacks your attention and eyeballs,” he says. “Everything about it is engaging, surprising and fresh.”

And there’s an extra twist to the campaign, says Macpherson. “Every time someone streams the Originals Anthem, the money it earns will go to KFC Add Hope. It will be used to feed malnourished children throughout South Africa.

“Among the kids who benefit from Add Hope are the next generation of Khulis, Blxckies and 25Ks and the Cultural Creators of the future. So, anyone who listens to the anthem will be helping them on their way.”

The Originals Anthem is available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify (https://apo-opa.co/4ks07ll), YouTube Music (https://apo-opa.co/3Dr7OaI) and Apple Music (https://apo-opa.co/4kj20kt).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KFC Africa.

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Make the Moment: The 2025 OnePlus Photography Awards Calling for Creativity Worldwide

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2 months ago

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February 7, 2025

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OnePlus

Entries for the 2025 OnePlus Photography Awards are now open, celebrating mobile photography with global rewards and recognition

SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 February 2025 – Global technology brand OnePlus announced the launch of the 2025 OnePlus Photography Awards (OPA), now in its fifth year. From February 7 to June 30, 2025, mobile photography enthusiasts worldwide are invited to showcase their creativity and passion for photography under the theme “Make the Moment,” inspired by the iconic first moon landing captured by Hasselblad. This year’s awards continue to elevate the art of mobile photography and the innovation of mobile cameras.

“Make the Moment”: Showcasing Creativity Across Movement, Night, and Portrait

The 2025 theme, “Make the Moment,” celebrates the fleeting beauty of everyday life, turning it into timeless works of art. Participants can submit entries across three categories: Movement, Night and Low Light, and Faces.

“At OnePlus, we believe in empowering our users to create and share memorable moments with their phone cameras,” said Emily Dai, Head of Global Brand and Marketing at OnePlus. “The 2025 OnePlus Photography Awards are a testament to the endless possibilities of mobile photography and the global creativity it inspires. Together, we’re building a gallery of stories and emotions that transcend borders and connect us all.”

The “Movement” category invites photographers to capture the essence of motion, from the energy of speed and adventure to the subtle moments of everyday life. The “Night and Low Light” category showcases the magic of the world after dark, highlighting vibrant cityscapes, starlit skies, and dynamic low-light scenes. Lastly, the “Faces” category invites participants to capture the emotions and stories behind every face, from joyful smiles to heartfelt moments, turning portraits into powerful expressions of life.

“Winning the 2024 OnePlus Photography Awards has been a massive milestone. It’s not just recognition but also a reminder to keep pushing my creative boundaries. It’s motivated me to explore new ideas and stay curious,” said Harisanker Sasikumar, Category Winner of OPA 2024. “To everyone participating in the 2025 OnePlus Photography Awards, good luck. Embrace your unique vision, keep experimenting, and most importantly, have fun with it.”

Open to All: Global Recognition and Generous Rewards

This year, OPA is open to all smartphone users, celebrating creativity with inclusivity and generous rewards. The competition includes two groups: the OnePlus Group, exclusive to OnePlus users, and the Public Group, accessible to all smartphone users worldwide. The judging panel, featuring OnePlus founder Pete Lau, Hasselblad ambassadors, and renowned photographers, ensures diverse and fair evaluations.

The top winner will receive $10,000, while all winners will be awarded the flagship OnePlus 13 and potential collaboration opportunities with OnePlus. Additionally, winning entries and photographers’ stories will be showcased on global platforms like OnePlus and 500px, offering participants worldwide exposure and community engagement.

OnePlus 13: The Ultimate Phone to Make Your Moments

Continuing its partnership with Hasselblad, the OnePlus 13 introduces significant upgrades in mobile photography, empowering photographers of all levels to capture moments like never before.

With its flagship triple-camera system, the OnePlus 13 ensures unparalleled versatility, clarity, and image quality. Innovative features, such as the Dual Exposure Algorithm for dynamic, fast-moving scenes, Night Mode for vibrant low-light shots, and Portrait Mode for stunning, professional-quality portraits, make it the perfect tool for capturing Movement, Night, and Faces. Whether you’re photographing a playful pet, a bustling cityscape, or a beautiful portrait, the OnePlus 13 adapts to your creative needs, transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary works of art.

OnePlus Photography

Entries are now open. Visit www.oneplus.com/photography-awards-2025  to submit your stories through the lens and join the global community to celebrate the creativity and innovation in mobile photography.

About OnePlus
OnePlus is a global mobile technology brand that challenges conventional concepts of technology. Founded on the “Never Settle” mantra, OnePlus creates exquisitely designed devices with premium build quality and high-performance hardware. OnePlus thrives on cultivating strong bonds and growing alongside its community of users and fans.

For more information, please visit OnePlus.com or follow us on:
Instagram – https://instagram.com/oneplus
Facebook – https://facebook.com/oneplus
Twitter – https://twitter.com/oneplus
LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/company/oneplus
YouTube – https://youtube.com/@oneplustech
TikTok – https://tiktok.com/@oneplus

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Hashtags: #OnePlus #OnePlusPhotoAwards #ShotonOnePlus

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Winners in the 2025 Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards Announced

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3 months ago

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January 21, 2025

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Stevie Awards

Sixth Annual Awards Sponsored by RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry Recognize Innovation in 18 MENA Nations

FAIRFAX, United States of America, January 20, 2025/APO Group/ — 

Winners in the sixth annual Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards (https://StevieAwards.com/MENA), the only awards program to recognize innovation in the workplace throughout 18 nations in the Middle East and North Africa, have been announced. The awards are sponsored by RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry (https://apo-opa.co/3Ecca5w).  The list of Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie Award winners is available at http://MENA.StevieAwards.com. 

We look forward to celebrating Stevie winners during our gala event on 22 February in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates

The 2025 Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards have recognized organizations in 14 nations including Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates. More than 1,100 nominations in Arabic and English were evaluated in this year’s competition. Winners were determined by the average scores of 118 professionals worldwide (https://apo-opa.co/4hoZEhF), acting as judges on five juries to recognize innovative apps, achievements, entire organizations, public relations, customer service, human resources, individual professionals, live and virtual events, management, sustainability, technology, thought leadership, and more. 

Winners of multiple Gold, Silver, or Bronze Stevie Awards include Abu Dhabi Customs, UAE; Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), UAE; ACTION LABS CONSULTANCY, Bahrain; Al Dhafrah Region Municipality, UAE; DHL Express, multiple locations across the region; Ebebek Mağazacılık A.Ş, Türkiye; General Civil Aviation Authority, UAE; Gulf Agency Co. (Dubai)L.L.C/ GAC, UAE; Insan Charitable Society for the Care of Orphans and Their Mothers, Saudi Arabia; Miral Destinations, UAE; Mobile Communications Company of Iran – MCI, Iran; Ooredoo Group, multiple locations across the region; Royal Commission for Jubail & Yanbu, Saudi Arabia; Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia; Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), UAE; The Fashion Commission, Saudi Arabia; ZIRA Arabia, Saudi Arabia, among others. 

Stevie winners will be presented their awards at a gala banquet at the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah Hotel in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, 22 February.  Tickets for the event are now on sale (https://apo-opa.co/4g4x8Ra). 

“We are delighted to recognize the achievements of such a diverse group of organizations across the MENA region in the 2025 edition of the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards,” said Stevie Awards President Maggie Miller. “We look forward to celebrating Stevie winners during our gala event on 22 February in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. The quality of nominations received this year was exceptional. The program has grown every year, showing the vast amount of innovation in the MENA region.” 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards.

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