Vision

Our Team

Chipalo Simunyola - President and Board Chair

Chipalo Simunyola holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hon) from the University of Manitoba's Asper School of Business and is certified as a people leader. With a strong foundation in business strategy and leadership, he brings extensive board experience in community development, not-for-profit organizations, and charities.

Currently, Chipalo serves on various non-profit and community boards, including as School Trustee for the Louis Riel School Division and Chairperson for the Riel-Evate Endowment Fund. He is committed to utilizing his expertise for community betterment and is actively involved in initiatives like the Point Douglas Run, raising funds for local women's centers.

In his professional role at Canadian National Railway, Chipalo applies his business development skills to drive growth and build partnerships. His diverse background, coupled with his passion for making a meaningful impact, makes him a valuable addition to MBAA and its mission of creating positive change in the community.

Peter Smith - Vice President

Peter Smith, currently serving as the Vice President of the Manitoba Basketball African Association (MBAA), brings a wealth of experience and passion to the basketball community. Transitioning seamlessly from player to coach at the BGC Winnipeg, Peter's influence has been transformative, shaping not only formidable athletes but also outstanding individuals. Throughout his tenure, from program coordinator to Club Manager, Peter has been instrumental in cultivating inclusive after-school initiatives, providing a safe haven for youth aged 6-18 to learn, grow, an excel. His steadfast commitment to empowering staff members and fostering an environment where both fun and essential life skills flourish underscores his contributions to both basketball and community enrichment. 

Jean Paul Ngabo - Founder and Program Director

Jean Paul’s passion for education, basketball, community engagement, and desire to create safe spaces for underrepresented communities in sports led him to establish the Manitoba Basketball African Association (MBAA) . Jean Paul brings over a decade of experience in basketball programming, organizing tournaments, managing operations, coaching athletes, and fostering partnerships with local and global organizations. Jean Paul’s basketball career has led him to play basketball both locally and overseas providing a diverse lens on how sports, social and community development intersect. Through his leadership, passion for basketball, and commitment to community empowerment, Jean Paul is dedicated to driving positive change and creating opportunities for growth within the African basketball community in Manitoba. As a program director, he oversees the MBAA youth basketball program in Winnipeg’s inner city and facilitates planning, coaching and securing of grants. With a background in education as a teacher, he brings extensive experience in creating engaging and impactful learning environments to MBAA programing and understands that basketball, beyond being a sport, serves as a powerful tool for personal and social development. 

Charity Maritim - Board Secretary

Charity Maritim is the Board Secretary for MBAA and plays a pivotal role in supporting the organization's objectives by ensuring effective communication, record-keeping, and organizational efficiency. She works closely with fellow board members and stakeholders to develop strategies, set goals, and monitor progress towards achieving MBAA’s mission. Charity also holds the role as event coordinator for the Annual MBAA ‘Ball for a Cause’ Tournaments where she coordinates event promotion, fundraising and entertainment activities , vendor management and coordination of volunteers. With her dedication to community development, she liaises with local and global organizations to raise money and awareness for various causes in the diaspora and abroad. Charity holds a Master’s in Public Health and her professional experience as a global health researcher and epidemiologist has led her to work with newcomer communities and African , Caribbean and Black communities in Manitoba and internationally to conduct health research examining infectious disease health outcomes.

Dennis Maritim - tournament organizer

Dennis initially joined MBAA as a tournament organizer and an integral player for Team Kenya. Hailing from Kenya, he began his basketball journey by playing with soccer balls until his father provided him with a proper basketball. His passion for the game extends both as a dedicated fan and an enthusiastic player. Dennis truly comes alive when he's involved in planning tournaments, finding joy in witnessing the growth of young athletes within the sport. To him, basketball serves as a sanctuary and a platform for acquiring essential life skills that leave a lasting impact, shaping one's character for years to come.

Kondwelani Kalinda - Board Treasurer

Kondwelani serves as the current treasurer of MBAA and brings a wealth of experience from his background in investments and financial planning. He works closely with the board and its strategic partners in the areas of grant funding, tournament budgeting, and forecasting our multi-year strategic plan. He has a passion for building stronger African communities and strengthening the basketball community in Manitoba. Outside of volunteering for MBAA, he also has a passion for web design, cycling, and photography.

Junella Ondo - Board Member at Large

Junella is an immigrant, originally from Gabon and Rwanda, and a Canadian Citizen who has always been passionate about supporting and giving back to the community. She is a SWIS (Settlement Worker In Schools) at NEEDS Centre, who works with newcomer families and the Vice President & General Manager of Joama Consulting Inc., a consulting firm run by her family. With her passion for the community and bringing everyone together, she has volunteered multiple times for the MBAA tournament and she is looking forward to expanding the vision of this organization.

What We Do