GOA Basketball Camp Attracts Record 100 Participants In Nairobi

NAIROBI, Kenya- The fourth edition of Giants Of Africa (GOA) basketball clinic served off at Brookhouse School in Nairobi on Thursday with a record 100 players taken through training by American NBA side Toronto Raptors President, Masai Ujiri.

The trainees, drawn from Kenya, Tanzania and Somalia, were taken through lessons in ball handling, crossovers and spins on the court to inspire them to be better basketballers.

“It’s the second time I’m attending the camp. What I learnt last year helped me to pen a contract with the Far East Basketball Association club playing in the Nairobi Basketball Association League,” James Oduor from Kaya Tiwi Secondary School in Mombasa told SportPesa News.

The 16-year-old point guard, who led his school to the national championships this year, was grateful to be part of 100 players (50 boys and a similar number of girls) who are attending the high profile camp.

“I will share the knowledge gained here with teammates at school and at the club,” the Form Four student underlined.

Hilda Nyokabi from Infield Academy, who was attending the clinic for the first time, was elated to be taught by some of the finest coaches from Canada and USA that accompanied Ujiri for the trip.

“I have gone through drills to perfect on my dribbling and passes. The coaches are giving us lessons on how to build confidence and be passionate about the game,” the 13 year old underscored.

“I love playing basketball ball because it has helped me to avoid bad company. The game is taking me places. I’m looking forward to a attend a similar  boot camp in South Africa,” highlighted Nyokabi whose role model is American and Golden State Warriors power forward, Kevin Durant.

Ujiri, who is also the GOA founder, said he has included girls for the first time in the three-day clinic to celebrate their 15th anniversary.

“The players are between 16 and 18 years. They were picked from schools and clubs. I have given girls opportunity this season because women too have a voice that needs to be empowered,”Ujiri said.

“I’m using sports as a tool for that. We are training the players to master basketball tactics and acquire life skills lessons. I’m trying to know the players well, their backgrounds and interests and trying to make a follow-up on success stories from the previous workshops we have had here before.

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"Over the past 15 years, I have seen the impact basketball can have not only on one kid, but also on their entire community,”Ujiri noted.

GOA will also run its program in Kakuma, in Turkana County on Monday before heading to Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Senegal.  

Ujiri said the state of the art basketball court he built at Kogelo, Siaya County which was unveiled by former US President, Barack Obama and Charlotte Hornets star, Bismarck Biyombo, on July 16 will host the Junior National Basketball Association League.

Other countries with similar training programme are Rwanda, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa.

“In addition to activating basketball camps and community outreach initiatives, GOA also trains local coaches in each community to learn from international premier level coaches.

“Each year, local and international coaches unite to serve as role models for youth participants to teach, motivate and encourage them to continue working hard to achieve their goals,”Ujiri explained.