What started with a few pairs of donated sneakers has grown into a grassroots sports movement uniting two continents. In Guinea, where many young people lack access to basic resources – let alone organized sports – a basketball camp with deep ties to Greece is rewriting what opportunity can look like.
Each summer, “Basketball Pour Tous” (Basketball for Everyone) opens its doors to children across the West African country, offering far more than training. The camp provides shelter, clothing, food, medical care and mentorship – all through a project founded by Alpha Aguibou Diallo, a professional basketball player who has spent much of his life in Greece and continues to build the program with support from Greek clubs, coaches and teammates.
Alpha first arrived in Greece from Guinea in 2009, when he was just 16. Since then, he has played for several Greek clubs and represented both the Greek National Youth Teams and the Guinean National Team. He says that Greece has become part of who he is.
“Yes, I do feel Greek,” Alpha said. “I feel like Greece is my second country. I spent half of my life in Greece. The first time I started living by myself was here.”
The idea for the camp began with Alpha bringing back shoes and clothes from Greece to Guinea each year during national team duty. In 2016, friends and teammates began contributing their own gear, and in 2020 – with support from Paris Dermanis of Panathinaikos Basketball Club – the idea evolved into a small, structured camp. That same year, the Hellenic Basketball Federation joined in, providing clothing and early backing.
It quickly became clear that offering equipment alone wasn’t enough. Many of the children couldn’t attend without food, housing, or transport – especially in rural areas where infrastructure is limited and families lack cars.
Despite warnings from some locals, who were skeptical about bringing together children from different ethnic backgrounds, Alpha moved forward. In 2021, with just €3,000, he hosted 20 children for two weeks. By 2022, and with help from a Greek businessman, the camp doubled its capacity.
By 2023, support from various Greek institutions and companies helped transform the project into a full-service operation. Medical care, nutrition, and a girls’ division were introduced. Contributions also came from individuals and businesses.
Shipments grew as well. From two suitcases to three, then cargo – and in 2024, the camp sent its first container to Guinea, filled with thousands of items. The donations included clothing, medicine, basketballs, and for the first time, mattresses, computers, and two basketball hoops.
One of those hoops was installed in the city of Pita – an inland town where no court existed before. A new court was built and named “Paris Dermani,” honoring the camp’s earliest Greek supporter. In the capital, Conakry, and four other cities, thousands of uniforms and shoes were distributed. The expansion marked a major milestone – the first time the camp operated in multiple cities beyond Conakry.
The camp also began reaching beyond basketball, providing equipment to soccer and volleyball players, and donating clothing and mattresses to an orphanage in Labe and a juvenile detention center in Conakry. In the village of Misira, near the town of Koubia, the foundation laid the groundwork to build a well – a vital step toward supporting the broader community.
At the center of it all is a single belief: that sports can create space for unity and dignity.
“Basketball for everyone! Everyone is equal, everyone deserves opportunities,” the organization’s motto reads.
Alpha emphasized that the goal was never to scout talent, but to give back. Still, success stories have emerged. In 2024, one child stood out – a 15-year-old orphan named Mohammed Syllah, known as “Moh.” He had no parents, no equipment, and had never trained on a proper court.
“I thought he could have a better life,” Alpha said. “He didn’t have parents, he was just 15 years old.”
Alpha brought Mohammed to Greece, where he now lives with him, attends school, and plays for the junior team of Pangrati Basketball Club. He is now one of the best under-18 players in the country.
While the camp has changed many lives, including those of nine children in 2024 who had no clothing, gear, or access to sports before attending, its founder remains focused on the core values: humility, solidarity, transparency, trust and sharing.
In 2025, “Basketball Pour Tous” was formally registered as an organization, with eight core members and 16 active participants. This year also saw a visit from Greek coach Angelos Tsamis, who spent a week coaching 90 boys and girls in Guinea.
Looking ahead, Alpha and his team hope to bring more Greek volunteers and coaches to the camp in 2026, complete the well in Misira, and expand the reach of their support both in sports and in life.
“Our goal is to make the practice of basketball accessible to everyone through multifaceted support: equipment, solidarity, and training of young people,” the organization said.
For Alpha, it’s about more than the game. “You don’t need to get many opinions for your own passion,” he said. “Do what you want. Everyone should have the opportunity to live their passion.”
