This week on Inside Africa...

(CNN) -- This week on Inside Africa? the good that can come from playing sports. We'll meet a young NBA star from Sudan who believes in passing his good fortune on to others, a Tanzanian martial arts instructor who teaches young boys how to fight for a better life, and some Kenyan soccer players who are giving gender stereotypes the boot. That's this week on Inside Africa!

Kenyan girls shoot for soccer success

A group of young women from Kenya have been in the United States for the last two weeks doing what they love most: playing soccer. Back home, their families and communities don't necessarily understand their passion for the sport, but these athletes are undaunted by social norms that would keep them on the bench. And while many of them would be delighted to catch the eye of an American scout, they're focused on a larger mission: empowering girls and other women in Kenya.

Luol Deng on basketball and his African heritage

Luol Deng, originally from Sudan, is a rising star with the NBA's Chicago Bulls. The 23-year-old forward has just completed his fourth season in the league, where he quickly earned a reputation for sportsmanship and generosity. His team failed to make the playoffs this year, but Deng has faced much greater difficulties. When he was a young boy, his family -- including eight brothers and sisters -- fled Sudan to avoid a brutal civil war. Deng recently sat down with Nick Valencia and explained how his African heritage remains a source of pride and motivation.

Martial arts provides a positive outlet

Children who grow up in tough, crime-ridden neighborhoods face all kinds of negative temptations and obstacles to success. Many end up on the wrong path by an early age. A martial arts instructor in Tanzania is trying to help young boys in his community choose the right path and he's getting results. He not only gives them a haven from the streets -- he provides lessons with far-reaching applications.

Street boxing in Ghana

There's an old Irish proverb: "if you want an audience, start a fight." In Ghana, members of the Ga tribe often draw a crowd by doing just that. For them, public fisticuffs are a cultural norm that promotes social unity. As Christian Purefoy explains, the practice has given at least one young Olympian a competitive edge.