LAGOS (Nigeria) - The President of Toronto Raptors and Giants of Africa co-founder, Masai Ujiri, is no doubt living his dream of seeing that African youth have greater opportunities in the game of basketball.

While understanding that governments cannot be depended upon to providing all the sporting facilities on the African continent, Ujiri has challenged the corporate world and individuals to help create meaningful opportunities for young Africans. 

"EVERY KID MAY NOT PLAY IN THE NBA EVENTUALLY; I NEVER PLAYED BUT SEE WHERE I AM TODAY."- Masai Ujiri

Masai, through the Giants of Africa (GOA), spent part of his rest period from the NBA visiting the African continent in his effort to providing basketball courts for youths to help their development.

He was in Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria and Burkina Faso where he unveiled basketball courts, provided coaching clinics, kits and basketballs for 50 campers at each court he built for schools and communities in those countries.

He emphasised that one good way the youths can be helped is by building and maintaining proper sports facilities.

Ujiri said he is joyful that he and his team in the Giants of Africa Foundation have been able to demonstrate how grassroots sports can be helped in Africa.

"Every kid may not play in the NBA eventually; I never played but see where I am today. Look at Godwin Owinje (co-founder Giants of Africa) how basketball has helped his life to the fullest. The life the kids get here can prepare them to become sports administrators, medical doctors, lecturers, etcetera. All they need is encouragement.

"We can give them that encouragement with the facilities we make available to communities. Let's give kids in the communities and schools the basic facilities to train and grow."

In Nigeria, the GOA unveiled the first of the courts at the Ijeshatedo Senior High School in Okota, Isolo, Lagos and the train moved on to the Oworonshoki Park, then headed for Ilupeju Grammar School and the Warriors Basketball Court. The next round will see courts built in places like Zaria, Owerri, Maiduguri amongst other places in Nigeria with other African countries in tow.

President of FIBA Africa Zone 3 Colonel. Sam Ahmedu, who is also the President of the Warriors Basketball Programme, whose programme benefitted from the provision of courts by the GOA said: "I am so pleased that Giants of Africa have continued to show their firm commitment to developing talents in Nigeria.

"As someone whose life changed when I was introduced to the sport through happenstance, I know how imperative it is that we expose as many kids as possible to what’s out there. These courts are a great way to ensure that we foster as much potential as possible in our communities."

Historically, one of the most difficult challenges for athletes in Nigeria - and throughout Africa - is the lack of quality facilities and equipment to foster their talents.

"The talent is there," said Raptors' forward and Nigerian Precious Achiuwa. "It's about continuing to grow the game and providing the next great wave of young African players the coaching, facilities and equipment required to better themselves."

Ujiri concurred, saying: "The African continent, and Nigeria specifically, is teeming with raw talents and the only way to encourage them is to provide them with the right equipment.

"As we see more and more players drafted into the NBA from Nigeria, it's never been more clear how much the continent needs this investment to find the next generation of stars, both on and off the court."

Since 2003, Giants of Africa has used sport to help empower youth to dream big, hosting basketball camps and clinics for boys and girls in 17 countries across the continent.

Last month, Giants of Africa launched the 100-court initiative.

 Under Masai Ujiri's leadership, the Raptors won the 2019 NBA Championship, the first team outside the United States to do so.

Masai has said that while he is proud to be the first African team president in North American sports, he would consider it a failure if he was the last."

FIBA