ZAMBOANGA CITY – In a bid to bridge the gap of cultural and traditional differences among the youth, the United States government spearheaded its first-ever sports clinic in the Philippines which set off in Zamboanga City Tuesday afternoon.

In line with the Sports Envoy program of the US State Department, the group invited National Basketball Association (NBA) personalities to inspire some 200 students and out-of-school youth in Zamboanga City.

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra cordially accepted the invitation of the US government to teach the basics of basketball to Mindanao youth in a three-hour sports clinic.

Spoelstra believes that through basketball, they can bring people together and share the same interest in sports amidst the differences in culture and belief.

"The kids were amazing. we have  kids of different ages, about 200 of them, from ages eight all the way to 19. They are as attentive and ethusiatic as any group that we've worked with. the enthusiasm for the game, you could see it right away," he said.

He also announced with pride that he is a true-blooded Filipino as his mother traces back her roots to Los Baños, Laguna.

Spoelstra was only three years old when his family migrated to America, where he grew up embracing the culture of the West.

But he said he has never forgotten the Philippines. As a matter of fact, he told the public that he is proud to be a Filipino.

NBA potential

Spoelstra added that he is planning to help Filipino basketball players in the youth sector, amateur or even in the professional level, to enhance, develop and nurture their skills in basketball.

According to the head coach of Miami Heat, there are a lot of Filipino basketball players who have the potential of making it in the NBA. But it is just a matter of time and nourishment to be able to compete in the US national league.

Miami Heat assistant coach David Fizdale also joined the group in promoting basketball to the Mindanao youth as a tool of bridging cultural diversity and bringing about peace among the people.

Former US Women NBA all-star Sue Wicks, currently the assistant coach of the St. Francis College Terriers, also took part in the basketball clinic.

Spoelstra, Fizdale and Wicks will continue teaching basketball basics on Wednesday, 2:15 p.m. at Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City, according to a news release from the US Embassy.

They will also hold two basketball clinics on Thursday, first at the La Salle Greenhills Gymnasium in Mandaluyong City at 8:15 a.m., and at the San Beda College Gymnasium in Mendiola, Manila at 2 p.m.

On Friday, they will be at the San Andres Gymnasium in Malate, Manila at 2 p.m. They will return to the San Andres Gymnasium on Saturday for a 9 a.m. basketball clinic. With a report from ANC.

Photo courtesy of NBA.com/Heat

(Correction: The US embassy has informed abs-cbnNEWS.com that the Sports Envoy program is not a program of the US Agency for International Development as initially posted in this article by RJ Rosaldo. It is a program of the US State Department.)