Over 250 youth campers from 16 African nations are converging in Kigali, Rwanda for the 2023 edition of the Giants of Africa (GOA) Festival taking place at the BK Arena in Kigali.
The Festival commenced on Sunday, August 13, and will run to Saturday, August 19.
According to the organizers, the goal is to horn basketball talents in Africa as well as impart pertinent skills to the youth present in what the festival calls “using basketball as a tool of education and empowerment”.
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Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame delivered his opening speech at the arena on Sunday to set the Festival in motion.
He urged the youth present to strive towards becoming “giants” regardless of their backgrounds by making the right decisions and working hard in line with the festival’s theme.
“You know the whole idea of being a Giant, among other things, is a matter of choice. You’ve got to decide,” President Kagame remarked in the fully-packed BK Arena.
Besides the keynote address from President Kagame, the participants were treated to a music extravaganza led by Tanzanian pop star and award-winning musician Diamond Platnumz.
Giants of Africa Exposure
Throughout the seven days of the festival, participating youth will have the opportunity to listen to key leaders in the world of sports, business, and entertainment on topics ranging from leadership, female empowerment, professional development, and ways of investing in themselves as well as the community.
A team of basketball coaches from GOA and the American-elite basketball league, NBA, will lead in efforts of improving the basketball skills of the youth in the camp.
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The festival will also feature a championship game pitting various teams participating in the 2023 edition.
Furthermore, the youth will take part in community clean-up exercises in Rwanda consistent with East Africa nation’s Umuganda Day where all citizens participate in nationwide cleaning.
The festival will culminate in a special closing concert bringing together some of the big names in Africa’s entertainment industry, among them Nigeria’s Afrobeats icon Davido and Tiwa Savage.