The Giants of Africa (GOA), an organisation which uses basketball as a tool to teach the African youth important life skills yesterday concluded a three-day camp in the country.

The camping sessions began last  Friday at the Village of Hope Orphanage where members of GOA, which included former professional basketball players and the coaching staff of NBA team, Toronto Raptors made donations to the facility and later played games with the orphans.

The GOA team last Saturday moved to the University of Ghana basketball court where they spent two days teaching 50 youngsters the basics of  basketball, as well as important life skills such as discipline and teamwork.

According to Godwin Owinje, head of the camp, his outfit decided to return to Ghana following the massive success of a similar camp last year in the country.

"What we saw last year in Ghana was encouraging. The kids were very attentive and willing to learn that is why we decided to bring it back again," Mr Owinje stated.

“Our goal is to develop the game of basketball on the continent but we realise that not everyone will become a professional which is why we combine that aspect with teaching life skills”, he added.

The Global Scouting Director of the GOA, Patrick Engelbrecht, said coaches at the camp would focus on teaching players about life skills, stations on the court, positions, team practicing as well as offensive and defensive plays.

Ghana was the second stop after Senegal on a six- country tour of the Toronto-based GOA crew, ,who are sponsored by Ecobank.

They were expected to depart Accra last night for Nigeria from where they will hold a similar camp between August 16 and 18.

 

source:graphiconline