Christian Solidarity International Breaks the Chains of Bondage With Help From the National Association of Basketball Coaches; $100,000 Donation to Free Sudanese Slaves.

News & Sports Editors/Religion Writers

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 11, 2001

Christian Solidarity International (CSI), a non-profit human rights organization, has teamed up with the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) to free slaves being held captive in northern Sudan.

"The $100,000 donation from the NABC is one of the largest contributions CSI has received, and will immediately be allocated to the organization's slave redemption program," said the Executive Director of CSI-USA, John Tayloe.

"We are absolutely thrilled the NABC and their member coaches have given freedom to enslaved women and children," said CSI's International President, Rev. Hans Stuckelberger. "The impact of this donation is simply unimaginable, as life's freedoms are so priceless."

42,537 slaves have been liberated through the cooperative efforts of CSI, Southern Sudanese Community leaders, and local Baggara Arabs. CSI's Slave Redemption Program operates as the Sudanese equivalent of 19th century America's `underground railroad.' It was established in the context of local peace agreements with Dinka chiefs and elders. CSI has supported the local peace agreements, including their slave redemption component, since 1995. The donation from the NABC will allow CSI to secure the freedom of women and children who have been enslaved by armed forces of the Government of Sudan, and reunite them with their families.

"It was shocking and extremely disappointing to find out that slavery still exists in this world," said Gene Keady, president of the NABC and head basketball coach at Purdue University. "As coaches, we consider ourselves guardians of the game and role models to student-athletes and the basketball community, both on and off the court. This donation exemplifies our commitment as coaches to not only preserve the integrity of basketball, but make the world a better place to live."

The NABC's $100,000 donation will provide freedom for approximately 2,900 Sudanese slaves. After their release, CSI will provide the victims with food and medical aid before returning them to their homeland in southern Sudan.

"Being able to provide for the freedom of so many people brings us a great deal of joy and exemplifies the ideal that coaches don't just care about winning, they care about people," said Jim Haney, executive director of the NABC. "The issue of slavery touches our hearts because it contradicts the principles of our One Nation, One Flag, One People initiative. This program celebrates the Declaration of Independence's beliefs that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights."

About Christian Solidarity International (CSI)

CSI is a Christian human rights organization for religious liberty, helping victims of religious repression, victimized children, and victims of disaster. The Founder and International President of CSI is Rev. Hans Stuckelberger. CSI is represented in 16 countries. The Executive Director of CSI-USA is John Tayloe, and the CSI-USA office is located in Westlake Village, California. CSI is at the forefront of the campaign to abolish slavery in Sudan. Additional information about CSI can be found at www.csi-int.org.

About the National Association of Basketball Coaches

Located in Overland Park, Kan., a suburb of Kansas City, the NABC was founded in 1927 by Phog Allen, the legendary University of Kansas basketball coach. Allen, a student of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, organized coaches into this collective group to serve as Guardians of the Game. The NABC currently claims nearly 5,000 members consisting primarily of university and college men's basketball coaches. Associate memberships also are afforded to athletic directors, conference commissioners, faculty, officials, and high school coaches.

All members of the NABC are expected to uphold the core values of being a Guardian of the Game by bringing attention to the positive aspects of the sport of basketball and the role coaches play in the academic and athletic lives of today's student-athletes. The four core values of a Guardian of the Game are advocacy, leadership, service, and education. Additional information about the NABC, its programs, and membership can be found at www.NABC.com.