Social entrepreneur, musician and creative entrepreneur Julian Baisie is using sports and creativity to rewrite Kasoa’s youth narrative.
For years, Kasoa has often been associated with narratives that overlook the resilience, creativity and potential of its young people. But at Galilea, a community-led initiative is offering a different perspective; one built around sports, creativity, talent development and youth empowerment.
At the centre of this emerging story is the Masher Street Hoopers’ Arena, a community basketball facility that has become a gathering point for young people and a platform for discovering and nurturing talent.
The arena recently hosted the third edition of the Ball Out 3×3 Basketball Tournament, an event founded by social entrepreneur, musician and creative entrepreneur Julian Baisie.
Held on August 29, 2026, the tournament brought together basketball players, creatives, residents and young people for a day that extended beyond competition on the court.
For Baisie, the tournament is part of a broader vision of using sports and creativity to provide young people with constructive spaces in which to develop their talents and build confidence.
Addressing participants and spectators as the event approached its climax, Baisie recounted the motivation behind establishing the Masher Street Hoopers’ Arena. He said the facility was conceived as a safe and accessible community space where young people could discover opportunities, develop their abilities and channel their energies into positive activities.
He also stressed the importance of community ownership, urging residents, players and supporters to take responsibility for maintaining the facility and contributing to its sustainability.
“The arena belongs to the community,” he said. “If we all contribute in our own small ways, we can create opportunities that inspire hope and prove that Kasoa is full of potential.”
Although basketball remained the centrepiece of the event, organisers deliberately incorporated other creative activities to broaden the experience.
A major attraction was a fashion presentation featuring ‘Street Smart’, Baisie’s latest collection from his apparel brand, Urban Cognative.
In an unconventional twist, the basketball court was transformed into a runway, with models showcasing the collection against the backdrop of the sporting arena. The presentation brought together elements of streetwear, sport and contemporary youth culture.
The programme also featured dance performances, while a PlayStation gaming zone provided an additional recreational activity for attendees.
On the basketball court, the tournament produced closely contested matches despite attracting fewer teams than organisers had anticipated.
The teams competed intensely, with players displaying teamwork, determination and technical ability throughout the competition.
Ball Out has increasingly evolved from a basketball tournament into a multidisciplinary youth platform incorporating sport, fashion, music, gaming, leadership and community engagement.
For Baisie, the initiative reflects a broader conviction that youth empowerment requires more than entertainment. It requires creating spaces where young people can develop their talents, express themselves, build relationships and envision possibilities for their future.
Through the Masher Street Hoopers’ Arena and Ball Out 3×3 Basketball Tournament, Baisie is seeking to demonstrate how community-led initiatives can use culture and creativity to create opportunities for young people.
The initiative also presents an alternative narrative about Kasoa — one centred on talent, community participation and the efforts of residents who are creating platforms for young people to thrive.
With every tournament, creative exhibition and community gathering, the organisers hope to strengthen that narrative and encourage more residents and stakeholders to invest in the potential of Kasoa’s youth.
