Rome was not built in a day.

This might be a big consolation in the absence of funds and other resources.

You could start with the cheaper and simpler option of a 'simple outdoor court', and gradually build up resources over a period of time for a 'covered stadium'.

Vijai

Dear Frank and Vijai,

Well, Frank, how 'bout it? Should we go with the simpler structure???

Vijai, I see from your profile that you are an engineer... Could you or somebody you know supervise the construction of this facility from online???

Sincerely,

Philip Costa

Hi Philip,

You have asked an interesting question. Depending on what needs to be constructed, a variety of professionals may need to be involved. Some categories of professionals to be involved for a medium sized construction are - architect, structural engineer, civil engineer, civil contractor. The architectural work can be handled online by the architect at one end and the owners of the property at the other end. Beyond this, all other activity must necessarily be handled 'on the ground' and 'at the site' between the 'owners' of the property and the respective professionals, and 'never' online.

A greater involvement through online activity can be risked only where a good deal of professionalism exists at both ends, which unfortunately is not the case with the villages on nabuur, and hence such an interaction must 'never' be attempted in such cases - even for architectural jobs.

Vijai

Dear Vijai,

Outdoor basketball courts are pretty much the same, one from another, aren't they??? The only varieties are half-court and full-court (which I prefer)... So wouldn't there be a "template" for outdoor courts (with variation to account for climate, etc.) that might be available on the internet??? Please let me know what you think... And thanks for your assistance thus far!!!

-- Phil

Hi Phil,

About the sizes, this might help, as it appears at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_court

quote:

The basketball court comes in different shapes and sizes. In the National Basketball Association, the court is 97 feet by 55 ft (28.65 m by 15.24 m). Under International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rules[2], the court is slightly smaller, measuring exactly 28 m by 15 m (91'10.4" by 49'2.6"), although national federations are allowed to use smaller courts, as long as they are at least 26 m by 14 m (85'3.6" by 45'11.2"). A high school court is slightly smaller, at 84' by 50' and some elementary schools have courts measuring 74' x 42'. In amateur basketball, court sizes vary widely. The baskets are always 10' (3.05m) above the floor (except possibly in youth competition).

end of quote

This article also provides basic information on all other aspects of a basketball court. It will be necessary for the village to first gain basic and elementary knowledge about all options for basketball courts, including the options of floor material since this will have a bearing on the costs. Beyond the above wikipedia article, they can access all the necessary information through a simple google search for 'basketball courts'.

Vijai

Dear Phil and vijai,

Straight to the qn which phil you asked me,the answer is: If theres no abig consolation in the absence of funds and other resources,we should straight start with ahuge covered stadium unless when its viceversor that we can opt for Vijais idea.

frank

Hi,

Iam back with the continuation,creating acovered stadium will not only help busukuma or wakiso as adistrict but the entire country Uganda since theres no any basket ball stadium in the country, this will be the first stadium.

frank

Dear Frank,

Then we have to get the national government, the district government and the schools involved!!! Where shall we start??? Who do we write to? Is the Ugandan government aware of what a boon basketball could be???

-- Phil

Dear Phil,

Yes the ugandan govt is aware ,may be we contact the national govt, a hope we try the minister of education and sport. Phil u want to contact these people to help in the establishmet of the stadium or? let me know.

frank

Hi Frank

You asked me whether there is anything I can do to help with your basketball project....

I don't know very much about the game, so can't give you much advice.

I would say keep it as simple as possible - you don't need a big, high proile stadium. You just want somewhere that local kids can play, both for fun and also hopefully as a way of building confidence and learning to work together as a team.

As there are already people playing basketball in Uganda, see if you can learn from them. If you can talk to people who are already playing the sport, you can work out whether its a good option in Busukuma, see if its something that young people will enjoy and want to take part in, and what equipment, time etc you will need to get things going.

Google came up with the following and I am sure there will be more. Try making contact and see if they can put you in contact with people who run teams somewhere close to you.

Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations
http://www.fuba.or.ug/

Gives contact details http://www.fuba.or.ug/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&id=1&Ite...
Email: info@fuba.or.ug
Telephone: +256772442466

NATIONAL YOUTH BASKETBALL CLUB
http://www.freewebs.com/nybcuganda/

Promotes HIV/AIDS and other community education through basketball.

P.O.BOX: 3173 KAMPALA, UGANDA
TEL: +256755400608 or 25671459005 or 256752359917
EMAIL: nybcuganda@rock.com, nybcuganda@walla.com, fpauplanets2004@yahoo.com

Mary

Hullo Mary,

Its long time with out hearing from u,how a u and everything atlarge.Well iam glad to see your post and contacts provided but as the task is: we want to:Introduce acovered stadium in our country, i dont know if this is bad or not.Thats why why Phil likes to contact the govt for that isue but i dont know if they will help as even the national footballstadium was just agrant from China any i dont know if it has that money.To prove that theres no acovered basketball stadium in Uganda try to contact those contacts you have provided then u will let us know the outcome. So my dear Mary help us with this task this is just akind request plzzzzzzzzzz.

frank

Hi Frank

OK, its up to you - you emailed me asking what I think about your latest project, so I told you!

There have been so many projects on Nabuur which have tried to do huge things, needing huge amounts of money, and get nowhere at all. Those that are prepared to start small, grow over time, and focus on what the community can do for itself are the ones that tend to be more successful.

If your government decides to buid a big basketball stadium anywhere in Uganda, I imagine they will build it in one of the main towns in a place where it would be easy for teams and supporters to travel to.

You can sit and wait for your government to help you, or you can get on and do as much as possible for yourselves, focusing on the things that the community really wants, and that can be done without needing (much) outside money.

If kids just want to play basketball, try contacting one of those organisations I mentioned, tell them a little about your community, and see if they can assist. They may be able to, they may not, but until you ask you won't know. As they are in Uganda, it would make sense for you to do that, not me.

As I said, I am just giving my opinion, its up to you, Phil and the community to decide how you proceed.

Other than to wish you good luck, I don't think there is anything else I can add to this.

Mary

Hi Mary,

Great to recieve your view,we shall opt for it in absence of funds.

frank

Dear Frank,

I'm with Mary; we should opt for the simpler court!!! We have a new neighbour, Martin, from Kampala, who might be able to help with the construction! Meanwhile, I will contact the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations to see what they have to say! Have a nice day!!!

-- Phil

Dear Phil,

No problem, let us go with simpler court as both Vijai and Mary said. And its good news to hear that we have got anew neighbour Martin,yeah! thats good! And iam anxiuosly waiting areply from our basketball Associations. anice weekend.

frank