We partnered with Norhla Basketball Director, Bill Johnson who recently started the first ever women’s basketball team in Ritoma. His efforts have established a platform for the local women and girls to experience participation in sport for the very first time in their lives! Women in Tibet often have hard lives that revolve primarily around work and family. They commonly don’t have fun, engaging ways to socialize or be active in an atmosphere unrelated to work or domestic obligations. The Norlha team provides a unique opportunity for the women in Ritoma to experience social bonding, teamwork, and feel a sense of personal achievement.
In preparation for the trip, Pinnacle Hoops International raised enough money to furnish uniforms, team gear, and equipment and conduct practices and training sessions at no cost to the newly established women’s team. We spent ten days with an awesome group of coaches, connecting local players across the Tibetan plateau with Coach Bill, playing pick-up against local monk teams, and building relationships that will last a lifetime!