Giants of Africa youth camp is celebrating it’s 15 years anniversary in seven African countries. This year’s camp kicked off in Rwanda, moved to Democratic Republic of Congo, Coted I’voire, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria and will be concluded in Senegal.
The Nigeria edition came to a close on Thursday after a four day event at the Indoor Sports Hall, National Stadium Lagos.
Co-founder of the Giant of Africa, who also doubles as President of NBA team, Toronto Raptors, Masai Ujiri said he is committed to reaching out to the youths in Africa.
“It’s a journey in my mind we have not even started. It’s seems like 10 minutes ago in my head we were doing this camp in a small gym in Zaria, 15 minutes ago in Abuja. We did this camp for straight 9 years in Nigeria and we had to expand it to other countries.”
“And then I decided to go to my mother’s country she is from Kenya and I am proud of that. I am also proud that I have been accepted all over the Continent, as a son of the Continent that’s who I feel I am,” Ujiri said
Ujiri, born in Zaria to a Nigerian father started playing football at an early age but switched to basketball at age 13 after he discovered a small gym in ABU, Zaria.
He believes the African youths can grow beyond the Continent through his basketball programme.
“One day the borders around Africa will be opened and that’s how I feel. I have never felt pressure in the NBA but I feel pressured in the Continent and I have to be a voice to grow the game. I have to create opportunities for the youth like it was created for me.”
Over 100 youths participated at the 2018 Giant of Africa Basketball camp in Lagos.
