Masai Ujiri: Giants of Africa Festival Looms

Masai Ujiri, the former Toronto Raptors executive, is having a busy time. Besides his recent departure from the team after 13 seasons, he is also preparing for the second Giants of Africa Festival. Despite the career change, Ujiri remains committed to his foundation’s work.

Ujiri, who was born in the UK and raised in Nigeria, founded Giants of Africa in 2003. At the time, he was a scout, long before becoming the first African team president of a North American sports franchise. He describes the foundation’s work as both an obligation and a passion.

Giants of Africa’s ambitions have grown alongside Ujiri’s success. The foundation has reached thousands of young people in 18 countries and helped build over three dozen basketball courts across the continent. The Archewell Foundation, founded by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, is among its supporters. The inaugural Giants of Africa Festival in 2023 brought together over 250 young people for a week of basketball, life skills training, and community building, culminating in a concert headlined by South African artist Tyla. Ujiri’s goal is to create a “borderless Africa”.

The festival returns to Kigali, Rwanda, on July 26, with a lineup that includes Nigerian pop singer Ayra Starr and WNBA star Candace Parker. Kawhi Leonard, who was brought to Toronto by Ujiri and helped the team win the championship in 2018-2019, will mentor young people and train underserved youth.

Expanding the Giants of Africa Festival

The Giants of Africa Festival is expanding to include 320 young participants from 20 African nations. The decision to expand stems from the success of the previous festival, which focused on basketball, life skills, coaching, mentorship, and cultural awareness. The event inspired Ujiri to bring the experience to even more countries.

A key part of the festival is a fashion show that highlights African prints and designs. Ujiri notes that African fashion is now a global trend, with designers worldwide incorporating African fabrics into their collections. The festival aims to showcase this and inspire young people to explore their cultural heritage. He also highlighted the global rise of Afrobeats music, noting its influence on music scenes across the globe.

Basketball’s Growth in Africa

Ujiri is excited about the growing popularity of basketball in Africa. He notes that the Giants of Africa camps have evolved from basketball development programmes to something much bigger. He recalls seeing players like Pascal Siakam and Joel Embiid as young kids at the camps, highlighting the abundance of talent on the continent. Ujiri believes that Africa’s youth are its greatest asset, especially considering that Africans are projected to make up a quarter of the world’s population by 2050, with a median age of 20. He stresses the importance of investing in the continent’s youth.

Using Sports to Inspire Diverse Careers

Ujiri believes that sports can be a gateway to various careers. He himself didn’t play in the NBA or high-level college leagues. Instead, he started as an NBA scout. He credits the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders programme for giving him the opportunity to become an executive. He wants to show young people that sports can lead to careers in journalism, sports medicine, law, and other fields. The festival brings in professionals from different fields to demonstrate the many possibilities.

Empowering Women

Ujiri initially focused on boys’ camps but realised the importance of including girls. He emphasises that it’s not enough to talk about women’s empowerment and respect without taking action. The festival now includes girls, with equal opportunities for both boys and girls. It’s not just a token gesture, but a commitment to equality in sports and beyond.

The Future of Giants of Africa

Ujiri’s recent departure from the Toronto Raptors will not affect his commitment to Giants of Africa. He emphasises that the foundation is his priority, regardless of his employment status. His goal is to help young people reach their full potential, whether they become presidents, governors, or team presidents. He hopes that the Giants of Africa experience will inspire them to reimagine their futures. The organisation is here to stay, promising continued support for African youth.