Giants of Africa has made its international debut in Europe at the adidas x ALBA Next Up Women’s Basketball Tournament in Berlin, Germany, taking another step in its efforts to create opportunities for young African women through basketball.
The four-day tournament, which began on September 3 and ends on September 6, features eight teams from around the world, with the African side competing against teams from Australia, Hungary, Indonesia, Spain, Germany, Sweden and the Czech Republic.
Founded by Nigerian basketball executive Masai Ujiri, Giants of Africa is represented by eight young women from Ethiopia, Gabon, Nigeria, Senegal and Tanzania.
All the players are alumni of the Giants of Africa Festival and have come together to represent the organisation in its first appearance at an international competition outside Africa.
The team is being led by Coach Melissa Diawakana of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigerian assistant coach Adetokunbo Ijomah, with support from Gabonese coach Geraldine Robert and other Giants of Africa staff.
The competition represents a major milestone for the organisation’s Women’s Empowerment Programme, which focuses on improving access and opportunities for girls and young women through basketball.
For some members of the delegation, the trip to Berlin is also their first journey outside Africa, offering them an opportunity to gain international exposure both on and off the court.
The teams are competing in the group stage during the first three days of the tournament, while the final day will feature cross games before an award ceremony and trophy presentation.
Beyond the tournament, the Giants of Africa delegation will also attend games at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup taking place in Berlin, giving the young players an opportunity to watch some of the world’s leading female basketball players.
Giants of Africa said its programmes have continued to promote gender inclusion by ensuring that girls account for at least half of participants at its camps, clinics and outreach programmes.
The organisation also runs coaching clinics for women across the continent, providing mentorship, practical training and other resources to help female coaches develop within the sport.
The Berlin tournament is the latest stage in an initiative that began with building basketball courts, organising camps and providing mentorship opportunities for young people across Africa.
Giants of Africa was founded in 2003 and uses basketball to promote youth development, leadership and life skills.
The organisation said it has so far reached more than 180,000 young people across 22 African countries and unveiled 50 basketball courts in 16 countries.
Ujiri, who founded the organisation, has built a distinguished career in professional basketball and was part of the leadership behind the Toronto Raptors’ historic NBA title success in 2019.
He currently serves as Team President and Alternate Governor of the Dallas Mavericks, but continues to place Giants of Africa at the centre of his efforts to empower the next generation of African youth.
For the young women representing the organisation in Berlin, however, the tournament offers a chance to show that the opportunities being created through the programme can now take African talent beyond the continent and onto the international stage.
Source: Sports Archives – New Telegraph
