Kigali is gearing up to host the highly anticipated ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of Giants of Africa. The festival is poised to unfold as a week-long celebration, intertwining basketball, education, culture, and entertainment.

The heart of the festival beats with the goal of employing basketball as a vehicle to educate and empower African youth to aspire for greatness. This vision comes directly from Masai Ujiri, co-Founder of Giants of Africa and General Manager of the NBA's Toronto Raptors.

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To date, more than 250 youths from 160 countries have converged on Kigali, converging from diverse corners of the globe to partake in the festival, which is also set to attract an array of star-studded performers.

For Ujiri, the continent boasts abundant skills and talent. However, he emphasizes that the foremost resource Africa requires is the ability to unite its young African talent.

"This monumental dream commenced two decades ago. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Kigali for the immense effort invested in this endeavor," Ujiri conveyed during a media briefing on Friday, August 11.

"We don&039;t view ourselves as mere visitors; rather, Rwanda is home to all of us—Giants of Africa. With that sentiment, I want to express my gratitude to President Paul Kagame and the Rwandan people. Thank you for making us feel at home."

Ujiri attributes the achievements of Giants of Africa to a collective endeavor, involving not only the National Basketball Association (NBA) but also basketball legends and other sponsors.

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"Anticipation brews for the possibilities of the next decade," he added. "Sports can play a pivotal role in fostering productive youth development. It equips children and young individuals with the tools to evolve into mentally and physically resilient adults, as well as constructive and socially conscientious members of society."

"The wait for this celebration has been protracted, and now it has arrived. Tomorrow, we are dedicating a substantial day to youth activities, during which we will inaugurate two new courts. We take immense pride in this accomplishment."

Sports as a catalyst for development

While sports serve as a catalyst for economic growth, Minister of Sports Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju commended Ujiri and the Giants of Africa team for pioneering an initiative that "unlocks opportunities for the youth."

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"This marks a significant milestone, and we extend our gratitude to Masai."

For Mimosa, the annual initiative has consistently molded the basketball landscape, not only in Rwanda but also across the entirety of Africa.

"Rwanda takes great honor in this achievement, as its impact resonates powerfully, empowering our youth to chase their aspirations. We wholeheartedly embrace this momentous 20th anniversary."

Giants of Africa is an initiative rooted in providing African youth with access to professional basketball training, enabling them to transcend their potential beyond the realm of the game.

The program was introduced to Rwanda in 2015, benefiting hundreds of boys and girls through its annual summer camps.

In addition to organizing basketball camps and community outreach initiatives, Giants of Africa also nurtures coaches, honing their skills through collaboration with esteemed international coaches.