Kenya among 16 countries invited for inaugural Giants of Africa Youth Basketball Festival

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BASKETBALL Kenya among 16 countries invited for inaugural Giants of Africa Youth Basketball Festival

Abigael Wafula 16:20 - 15.06.2023

Giants of Africa Co-Founder Masai Ujiri noted that the event will be used to celebrate 20 years of empowering youth among other things.

Kenya will be among 16 countries that will take part in the inaugural Giants of Africa Youth Basketball Festival from August 13 to 19 in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Festival will bring together more than 250 youth from 16 countries, 16 of them from Kenya, in celebration of Giants of Africa's 20th anniversary.

Giants of Africa Co-Founder Masai Ujiri noted that the event will be used to celebrate 20 years of empowering youth and honor the incredible communities that have welcomed the initiative.

“Through this Festival, we aim to inspire and encourage youth, while acknowledging their immense potential and the collective effort to create positive change.

We are honored to have artists including Davido, Tiwa Savage, Diamond Platnumz and more join us for the opening ceremony celebration and closing concert," added Ujiri.

Giants of Africa is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of African youth through sports. With key themes including basketball, education, culture, and entertainment, the festival strives to unite and celebrate the next generation of leaders across Africa.

Youth campers will represent Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Somalia, Uganda, Botswana, Ghana, South Sudan, Morocco, Cameroon, and Mali.

Three events taking place at BK Arena will be open for the public to attend. The opening ceremony celebration will kick off the week with an electrifying concert from Tanzania's award-winning superstar Diamond Platnumz.

Hosted by award-winning sportscaster Carol Tshabalala, the celebration will also feature captivating sounds from Massamba Intore, musician, songwriter, and founder of Gakondo music group, accompanied by a performance choreographed by Sherrie Silver, an MTV Award-winning choreographer and United Nation's IFAD Advocate for Rural Youth.

The closing concert, presented by Spotify, will feature an incredible lineup of internationally acclaimed artists and performers. Davido, fresh off the success of his fourth studio album, will grace the stage with his infectious energy and magnetic stage presence.

Joining him will be Tiwa Savage, the Nigerian singer-songwriter and actress known as the Queen of Afrobeats, who will captivate the audience with her unparalleled talent.

Adding to the all-star lineup is Rwanda’s own Bruce Melodie who will also be joined by South Africa's Tyla, a rising star. Their performances promise to create an electrifying atmosphere and leave a lasting impression on the Festival attendees.

Additionally, on August 12 the Festival will host an International Youth Day Forum which will bring together 2000 Rwandan youth along with the campers participating in the Festival to hear from esteemed guest speakers, including Lt. Gen (Ret'd) Romeo Dallaire and Ishmael Beah, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

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