Ujiri takes Giants of Africa camp to six countries
SIX countries across the continent will benefit from this year’s Giants of Africa Camp run by Toronto Raptors President, Masai Ujiri, the organisers have revealed.
The camp dedicated to supporting the growth of basketball in Africa will hold in August and according to Giants of Africa, an organization founded by Ujiri, a Nigerian, the benefiting countries are Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Cote d’ivoire and Senegal.
According to the calendar, the youth focused camps will kick off in Rwanda from August 7 to 9, Uganda from August 10 to 12, Kenya from August 13 to 15, Nigeria from August 18 to 20, Cote d’ivoire from August 23 to 25 and conclude in Senegal with boys’ and girls’ camps from August 26 to 28.
“Sport can change the world,” said Ujiri, a former Nigeria international. “Africa must rise and the way we get there is together. One of Giants of Africa’s fundamental mottos is - Dream Big. We believe that basketball can be used as a tool to educate and develop youth around the world to accomplish their dreams. In addition to training coaches in each country and building infrastructure, we strive to serve as role models for these kids to learn from and be motivated by hard work.
“We feel a deep sense of responsibility to help them develop as athletes and be good citizens within their community.”
Giants of Africa summer camps band together elite and emerging coaches from across Africa and internationally to drill participants through skills sessions tailored to develop aspiring basketball athletes both on and off the court. The organisers said the sessions over the course of three days will focus on helping players develop athleticism, enhance life skills, set goals and inspire them to accomplish their dreams.
“While in each country, Giants of Africa will be participating in outreach projects in each local community. In Rwanda the team will be opening a new court at Rafiki Club. Kenya community outreach will include a project impacting the neighbourhood of Kayole.”