Masai Ujiri’s Giants of Africa unveil two basketball courts

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Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri’s nonprofit group Giants of Africa unveiled a pair of basketball courts in Toronto earlier this week.

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The courts opened on Tuesday at Firgrove Park within the Jane and Finch neighborhood in North York with Ujiri, Toronto mayor Olivia Chow, native councillor Anthony Perruzza and others available.

The courts have been sponsored by George Brown Faculty, with assist from the Metropolis of Toronto and Maple Leaf Sports activities and Leisure.

A youth basketball clinic was performed for girls and boys, together with life abilities training led by NBA personnel, Raptors improvement coaches and Giants of Africa coaches following the disclosing.

The group mentioned the courts are meant to “function a testomony to Giants of Africa’s dedication to empowering youth and embracing the varied African diaspora neighborhood residing in Canada.”

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“Constructing a court docket in Toronto has lengthy been a precedence and a supply of delight for us, so it’s unimaginable to see it come to life right here as we speak on this particular neighborhood,” Ujiri mentioned in a launch. “Greater than only a recreation, basketball is a software for empowerment. By way of these courts, we purpose to offer alternatives to unite youth, develop their abilities, construct confidence, and foster a way of neighborhood.

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“We’re grateful to our sponsors, George Brown Faculty, and the Metropolis of Toronto for his or her assist in making this mission a actuality.”

Giants of Africa has unveiled 33 new courts in 10 African international locations and hopes to ultimately unveil 100.

“Our partnership with Giants of Africa permits us to remodel lives and encourage the subsequent technology to dream huge. By way of sports activities, we are able to unlock new studying alternatives and nurture the immense expertise of our youth within the Jane and Finch neighborhood, aligning with our faculty’s dedication to accessible training and neighborhood improvement.” mentioned Dr. Gervan Fearon, president of George Brown Faculty. “The mixture of sports activities and training helps on and off-court success which is the muse of our shared efforts and partnership in supporting the subsequent technology of leaders.”

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Chow mentioned: “We’re thrilled to open these basketball courts at Firgrove Park, making a protected and vibrant house for our youth to play, be taught and develop. This isn’t nearly basketball, it’s about constructing a neighborhood the place desires can take flight.”

“MLSE is pushed by the constructive impression of sport on youth each on the court docket, however extra importantly, off the court docket,” mentioned Tanya Mruck, vp of neighborhood engagement and impression for MLSE. “Along with Giants of Africa, we’re dedicated to offering extra equitable entry to basketball for communities going through boundaries so that each one youth have the chance to get pleasure from and be taught from the sport and expertise the facility of sport to vary the world.”

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