In an era when many Haitians are leaving the country in search of a better life... the Haitian-American star of the NBA, Nerlens Noël, has decided to reconnect with his roots. The strong and pivotal winger of the Dallas Mavericks, said his pride of being Haitian and his willingness to wear the national colors.

Régine Lamur, Minister of Youth and Sports and Civic Action, took advantage of this new visit to Haiti https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18596-haiti-sport-visit-of-the-nba-star-of-haitian-origin-nerlens-noel.html to salute his nationalist enthusiasm by awarding him a plaque of honor in the name of the Haitian people. She congratulated his attachment to his mother's country, Dolcena Noël, "who has made enormous efforts to offer us a foreign-born star, but imbued with an uncommon 'haitianity' and proud of his roots."

Minister Lamur described the decision of Nerlens Noël as "exemplary", to contribute and to promote Haitian basketball. The Minister is convinced that this decision to associate with other Haitian professional basketball players in Haiti and abroad and the Haitian Basketball Federation in order to equip the country with a competitive selection, "can put Haiti on the right track of sports diplomacy."

She invited young people to follow this example of "patriotism and sense of belonging [...] because it belongs to them to participate in the construction of a country that makes us proud."

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18596-haiti-sport-visit-of-the-nba-star-of-haitian-origin-nerlens-noel.html

HL/ HaitiLibre