Supports have continued to pour in for this weekend’s novelty football match being put together by ex-Udoji United players at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
Chairman of the event’s planning committee, Diewatt Ikpechukwu, a Nollywood star and former team manager of defunct Nitel Vasco, revealed yesterday that the match has been endorsed by the duo of Austin Jay Jay Okocha and former Flying Eagles handler, John Obuh.
Ikpechukwu said the duo would be part of the ex- internationals squad that would face former Udoji United stars, most of whom have already arrived the Coal City.
“The novelty game is an event some former Udoji United players are putting together to raise funds for the families of their deceased former teammates and coaches who are not finding things easy. Some of the families that readily come to mind include that of late Herbert Anijekwu, Willy Bazuaye and Charles Nduka.
“USA based, Ikem Udeh who is one of those driving the project is already in town alongside the likes of Dele Bob Manuel, Precious Monye and Ifeanyi Aghenu. Austin Jay Jay Okocha, John Obuh, Christian Chukwu and other Enugu based ex-internationals would be in action on Saturday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium,” Ikpechukwu said.
He further disclosed that the novelty game would be preceded by a gala nite that is to be graced by top officials of Enugu State government and sports philanthropists.
Ujiri’s Giant of Africa camp extends to six countries
BY JOE APU
Masai Ujiri, President and General Manager of the Toronto Raptors cum President and Founder of Giants of Africa, announced today that Giants of Africa will be conducting camps in six countries across Africa this summer.
The camp dedicated to supporting the growth of basketball in Africa, Giants of Africa will expand camps from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Rwanda to also include Botswana and Senegal.
According to the iternary of GOA, the basketball camps will be held in Senegal from August 7 – 9, Ghana from August 12 – 14, Nigeria from 16 – 18, Kenya from August 19 – 22, Rwanda from August 23 – 25 and Botswana from August 26 – 29.
Each summer, Giants of Africa brings top international coaches to the continent to host basketball camps designed to help young African players develop athletically, establish life goals and to refine their fundamental knowledge of the game. In addition to on-court basketball skills coaching, Giants of Africa strives to foster participants’ development through life skills education.
As part of the summer programme, the Giants of Africa team also conducts local community outreach initiatives in each country it visits. This year, the team will be supporting the following outreach programs across Africa – SEED Academy and Village Pilote in Senegal, The Village of Hope in Ghana, Little Saints Orphanage in Nigeria, Mully Children’s Family.
as well as the installation of a new basketball court in Kiberia, (a partnership between Giants of Africa and H.E. Evans Kidero, the Governor of Nairobi County) in Kenya, Rafiki Club Kigali in Rwanda and the MPULE Foundation in Botswana.
“Encouraging the dreams of African youth is at the core of what we strive to achieve with Giants of Africa,” said Masai Ujiri, President and General Manager of the Toronto Raptors. “Basketball is a sport that has become increasingly popular across the globe. And we want to support African youth by using basketball as a tool to educate and teach core values such as dedication, discipline, and respect for others.
“We believe supporting the infrastructure of basketball in Africa via coaches, facilities and camps is imperative to create opportunities for African youth to play and develop both on and off the court. We are thrilled to be extending our reach to six African countries this year.”
Giants of Africa began hosting camps in Africa 14 years ago. Since the camps inception more than 100 camp attendees have moved on to high school or university in the United States, with approximately 18 participants’ now playing basketball professionally in Europe. Modelled after the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders initiative, Giants of Africa holds two types of annual camps – Top 50 Camp and Big Man Camp. The Top 50 Camp focuses on the top 50 kids from across the country and provides campers with three intense days of instruction. The Big Man Camp teaches young athletes at 6-foot-8 and above the basic fundamentals of the game with a focus on running, catching, footwork and shooting.
Giants of Africa summer camps are made possible through the support of partners from across the globe with special thanks to the NBA, Nike, Nestlé Milo, Ecobank, MLSE Foundation, Fortress, Blackberry, MasterCard, Bell and Sportscorp Travel.