S. GitahiDagoretti South MP Kiarie hails investment in sports
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 22.01.23. | 14:20
Co-founder and President of Giants of Africa and NBA franchise Toronto Raptors - Masai Ujiri unveiled two courts
As young campers and future basketball stars thronged the unveiling event of two Giants of Africa - sponsored basketball courts at Dagoretti High School, so were the grins from those entrusted to not only be responsible of the infrastructure, but to ensure that the initiative slowly morphed into an investment.
Seated alongside Co-founder and President of Giants of Africa and NBA franchise Toronto Raptors - Masai Ujiri, was a contingent of respectable leaders.
One of them, an alumni of the school, and one individual who understands the true meaning of talent and arts.
"This is just an amazing and special occasion," John Kiarie 'KJ' - the Dagoretti South Member of Parliament said in an interview with Mozzart Sport. "First thing is to thank the great Masai Ujiri, the Canadian dignitaries (including the Canadian ambassador to Kenya - Fiona Jarvis) and Giants of Africa for investing these beautiful courts in the right place."
The 'right place' would be an understatement for what Dagoretti High School is and has achieved in sports. The school's basketball and football teams participated in the national Kenya Secondary School games with the former finishing second runners up in the East African games.
"Dagoretti High School has a legacy and heritage of great performances in sports, performing and visual arts," John Kiarie remarked, noting the school's steady rise in the sector majority came to know him from - drama festivals.
From patched-up concrete courts to the new standard sized park, Kiarie's words later on, were more on the responsibility handed to its respective beneficiaries - community leaders and young players.
"As challenged, we (community) will seek to bring partners on board," he said in the presence of Masai Ujiri. "
As we wait for the track, I personally commit to take care of the terraces and the field. We shall be beautifying the park and the pavilion from where guys will be watching the ball games from.
"We always strive in investing back into our community."
To the players given the opportunity to improve their skills on-court, he said: "This is a shot in the arm for our young talents and future _Masais._ Here in Dagoretti High School, we have a mantra - driven by the development of emerging economies through talents _- Talanta ni ganji_ (Talent is money)."
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Those were the same words echoed by school Principal Lawrence Ambasa, as he noted the lucrative scholarship opportunities that exist through basketball.
"These new basketball courts should motivate the young students here to practice more and be engaged in co-curricular activities," Ambasa, OGW noted. "We have a couple of our students who have in the past secured scholarships abroad (UK and the US) and are doing really well. So why not the present ones?"
On his part, Ambasa was also aware of the massive job of taking good care of the facility, while still opening its doors to the public.
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There is no denying the positive imprints Giants of Africa is leaving on Africa's basketball development, while creating avenues for youths to turn their lives around through sport.
"The book of Proverbs says, 'Do you see a man skilled in his job? He shall never serve among the people of low ranks. He shall serve among the kings.'" John Kiarie concluded, hoping that Friday 20 January 2023, would be a day that positively impacted the society.
