Creating tomorrow's Ismaili Muslim American leaders through basketball in Sugar Land

Basketball is a global sport, bringing a universal language to the hardwood.

The Ismaili Muslim American community of Sugar Land uses basketball as a way to teach leadership skills to youth.

Young Muslim Americans are not only taught the fundamentals of basketball at the Abid Umatiya Sports Complex, but are also being mentored in becoming leaders off the court.

"Through this platform, we instill and promote the idea of volunteerism to our future young leaders and teach them to give back to the community," said Rahim Maknojia, president of the Community Focus Foundation, which owns and manages the Pioneer Community Center where the Abid Umatiya Sports Complex is located.