The New York-headquartered National Basketball Association (NBA) is set to establish an office in Nairobi in November this year.

The announcement was made Friday morning by State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed who disclosed that Kenyan had signed an MoU with the basketball association.

President William Ruto was present during the signing of the agreement accompanied by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba in New York.

"Kenya has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Basketball Association that will see phenomenal development of Basketball in Kenya," said Mohamed.

The agreement, Mohamed went on, is also expected to culminate in "School and community-based grassroots talent development under the Talanta Hela Initiative, including training of teachers as certified basketball coaches and scouts."

The State House spokesperson added that the partnership will likewise result in the upgrading of local basketball infrastructure, which will encompass the construction of basketball courts in schools and communities around the country.

"Development of Basketball infrastructure, including Basketball courts in schools, communities and neighborhoods, and an elite arena for hosting top-level competitions... NBA to open an office in Nairobi in November 2023 to coordinate all activities under the historic MoU," said Mohammed.