The Festival gets underway on Sunday, August 13th, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Giants of Africa. The week-long event will blend culture, education, and entertainment through Basketball to educate while inspiring African youth to aim high.
4 years ago today, At the special event to launch the state-of-the-art infrastructure in Kigali, President Paul Kagame recognized various international basketball luminaries including Masai Ujiri, the general manager of the Toronto Raptors, for their involvement in growing Basketball in Africa through the “GIANTS OF AFRICA” initiative.
He said; “Africa has giants and we must carry ourselves as giants. The Giants are exceptional. When your actions are exceptional then that is who you become. This Arena was built to host the best basketball players of Rwanda and Africa, for them to train, play and win here.” Insightful remarks by President Kagame during the inauguration of Kigali’s BK Arena.
In its four years of existence, the beautiful Kigali Arena has hosted all major continent Basketball competitions. And, on the horizon, is the Giants of Africa (GOA) Festival, which will bring together over 250 African Youths from 16 different countries for a weeklong extravaganza beginning August 13.
Throughout the week, kids will be treated to a specific basketball program while the spectators will also enjoy a mix of entertainment and sports.
According to GOA Festival programs, the youth, boys, and girls will go through a rigorous series of basketball clinics and leadership courses aimed to help them prepare to pursue their aspirations.
Giants of Africa is committed to its purpose of using basketball to educate and enhance the lives of African youngsters, as well as to inspire the next generation of leaders to Dream Big. Throughout the week, the spectators will be allowed to attend the festival celebrations and performances
The week’s festivities will begin with an exciting concert by the famous award-winning Diamond Platnumz. Intore Masamba and Sherrie Silver will also be performing.
Giants of Africa, which Masai Ujiri co-founded in 2003, has conducted basketball camps for boys and girls, built courts, and funded youth outreach activities over the past two decades.
Through their 100-court initiative, GOA unveiled a fully renovated basketball court at Club Rafiki last year as their programs emphasize education, empowerment, and leadership both on and off the court.
Youth from Rwanda, Cameroon, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal, Mali, DR Congo, Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Somalia, and Botswana will take part in the week-long event.
