Last week, the Giants of Africa Festival (GOA) concluded its 20th anniversary celebration after a week of festivities. The festival successfully gathered young people, community representatives, and acclaimed artistes from different parts of the continent in a vibrant fusion of sports, culture, and pan-Africanism. ALSO READ: Kagame, Masai laud Giants of Africa Umuganda Day The festival was defined by the presence of new sports venues and a wide array of captivating events that took centre stage throughout the week. Here are six highlights: ALSO READ: Zaria Court: From a symbol of war to a top recreational hub Day-time concerts Who would have thought revellers would attend a daytime concert, dance their hearts out, and leave happily at 7pm? For obvious reasons, all eyes were set on the entertainment part of the festival, the concerts, which boasted a stellar cast of internationally renowned musicians and performers. There was a big turn up of revellers from the opening ceremony which featured Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz, a parade of the athletes, and musical performances by Sherrie Silver, and Masamba Intore; to the closing ceremony graced by Afrobeat icon Davido, Tiwa Savage, Rwanda’s own Bruce Melodie, and Tyla, one of Spotify’s emerging artistes. ALSO READ: Giants of Africa unveils 29th basketball court in Kimisagara Unveiling of new sports venues The unveiling of new basketball courts at the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village, the Kimisagara Dream Big Court, and the Zaria Court was one of the festival's memorable highlights. These courts represent Giants of Africa's commitment to uplifting young people through sports and serving as a platform to encourage ambitions. An intriguing aspect that all of these locations share is that they were previously recognised by their stern past, but that their new identities change their course for the better. ALSO READ: New basketball court to be unveiled at Agahozo-Shalom village Youth turnout and local delegates There was a vast presence of young people at the GOA Festival. Over 250 youth from 16 African countries participated in the event, creating a youthful ambiance throughout, as well as reflecting the growing interest and engagement of the continent's youth in sports and cultural exchange. Local delegates were also noticeable at the festival, bringing a touch of authentic Rwandan culture to the mix. Meeting the President It is rather rare that performers get to meet President Paul Kagame, right after their performances, but at the just concluded Giants of Africa Festival, it seemed to be virtually the standard. In addition, President Paul Kagame and the First Lady graced several of the activities over the course of the eight-day event, which was perhaps one of the longest events to be hosted in the country. Management and organisation The Giants of Africa Festival impressed attendees with its commendable time management and organisation throughout the week-long event. The festival adhered to a well-planned schedule, from the On-Court Basketball Skills Development Camp to the Dream Big leadership and educational sessions, to the concerts, each day unfolded smoothly and allowed participants to maximise their engagement and networking and learning opportunities. ALSO READ: VIDEO: You don’t have to be rich or poor to clean and build - Ujiri A unique blend of sports, music, culture, and pan-Africanism The entire festival week was packed with a dynamic atmosphere, with a blend of sports, entertainment, and culture. The parade of athletes, artistses’ musical performances, educational sessions on unity, empowerment, and financial literacy, and celebration of African heritage all emphasised the festival's commitment to nurturing African youth through sports, education, and culture, fostering a sense of pan-African identity. Also, there was a sociable ambiance throughout the rigorous basketball tournaments demonstrating young skill and teamwork. The festival also included Umuganda, Rwanda's monthly communal activity, which embodied the broader message of collective action and communal duty, as well as the prospect of drawing action from home-grown initiatives.
