POLOKWANE – In Polokwane, a group of passionate individuals is working tirelessly to promote basketball and develop young talent.

Donald Chinwa, founder and director of Dream Chasers Basketball Academy, is driven by a vision to provide opportunities for young athletes to excel in the sport.

Turning basketball into opportunity and life skills

“The reason why I started this academy is because there was a gap in opportunity in the city, and not talent.

“With a focus on developing young athletes both on and off the court, Dream Chasers has become a family where players learn valuable life skills like discipline, leadership, and resilience,” Chinwa said.

He adds that the academy’s mission is simple; to show Polokwane and Limpopo that basketball is a career path, character builder, and door-opener.

Chinwa measures success not by scores, but by the sense of belonging and growth he sees in his players.

“My first measure of success is a boy who used to eat alone at break time, and when he joined Dream Chasers, the senior players now look for him at lunch time to share their lunch with him because we’re a big family,” he said.

He expresses that when the team creates moments such as these is a huge impact.

“The young man’s world changed — not because of a basket scored, but because of the sense-of-belonging the boy found.”

Overcoming challenges and growing talent

Dream Chasers has hosted events like the Triple Threat Classic 2026 on March 21 at PEPPS, bringing together schools and community members to celebrate basketball.

The academy also engages with local schools, promoting basketball and providing opportunities for young players, however, Chinwa expresses that the team faces challenges, particularly with sponsorship and transport.

“The need for support would mean that a minivan would change the lives of our players immediately,” says Chinwa.

Despite these challenges, Chinwa explains that Dream Chasers is making progress, with plans to attend the Discovery Camp end of July and develop a scholarship pipeline.

“The team is open to young players aged 10-19 who love basketball.”

Chinwa emphasises that sponsorship isn’t charity, but an investment in young people who will become professionals, leaders, and community builders.

“Every contribution changes a life in a practical, measurable way.”

More than a game: A family and movement

He concludes that Dream Chasers is more than just a basketball academy – it’s a community, a family, and a movement.

“We’re the owls who study while others sleep. We are the lions who attack when the moment comes. We are the dream chasers who show up in the rain, and we are just getting started.”

Contact Dream Chasers at dare2dreamchasers@gmail.com or 076 197 2020 to join or support the movement.