The initiator of Giant of Africa Basketball Camp, Masai Ujiri has said his desire is to take the programme to several countries in Africa in his bid to teach kids the rudiments of the game and life skills.
Speaking at the end of the 15th edition of the camp in Lagos, the Toronto Raptors President, said that it has been very fulfilling running the camp in Lagos and also expressed delight in the fact the kids from five other countries Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Cote D’Ivoire Senegal) benefitted from the camp this year.
The emphasis, for this year camp, according to Ujiri, is teaching the players how to operate in a team, setting up screens, making the right decision during a game and teaching some other basic skills of the game that would enhance their performance.
The former International stated he was always happy to be back home and work with the participants while commending the local and foreign coaches who have become an integral part of the camp. “I am also happy to come back home every year to work with the kids as a way of giving back to the society where I started my career.”
He said his trips all over Africa has shown that the continent has a huge potential, which is still untapped, noting that more African countries were more accessible unlike in the past.
“It is a great experience taking the camp to other parts of the continent. You learn about their culture and it shows that Africa is open now unlike in the past when it is difficult to get to these countries and do sporting events.
“Giant of Africa is expanding and it is building relationships too. We are proud of our relationship in Kenya, in Rwanda with President Kagame, in Uganda and everywhere we have gone. And we will sustain those relationships in our bid to use basketball as a tool to develop the youths,” he added.
While admitting that he seldom talks about how funds are sourced for the event, Ujiri said it is an obligation for him to find a way of sustaining the programme by looking for corporate bodies and individuals to back the programme.
“I don’t like to talk about funding. But I have to figure how to source funds with my position. It is an obligation for me to come back and do the camps in the continent. It is something I have been doing in the last 15 years. It a programme I have to find a way to do. There are lots of people that do things to help the programme. We have Nike and many other sponsors and individuals, while Lagos State government also provided a befitting gym for the event.
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