Kenya will collaborate with Giants of Africa co-founder and Vice Chair of the NBA’s Toronto Raptors Masai Ujiri, to establish a state-of-the-art arena dedicated to hosting high-level basketball tournaments locally.
Making the announcement , Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja says the NBA will likewise establish an office in Nairobi to augment available basketball infrastructure across the country and train local players and coaches.
Through his Giants of Africa Foundation, Ujiri has been empowering African youth through basketball for nearly 20 years by organizing basketball training camps across 17 African states, Kenya included.
The partnership between the govt and Giants of Africa has however been received with mixed reactions owing to the style of management by the Ababu Namwamba led docket.
“Slam Dunk! The NBA and NBA Africa in Nairobi from November. Great wins for us led by President William Ruto,” Sakaja said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.
“Additionally, we are working with Masai Ujiri to create the Nairobi Arena, (check out the Kigali Arena); this will be bigger and more exciting. Even as it’s at the exploratory stage, the commitment by both the National and County Gov’t should give this the required impetus. A great opportunity for our young people. We must get it right.”