Prince Harry on Sunday in Lagos joined in the training sessions of young basketball and wheelchair basketball players at Ilupeju Grammar School, to the delight of the kids.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex respectively, participated in a basketball clinic and will support the construction of a new Giants of Africa basketball court in Abuja through the Archewell Foundation in partnership with Giants of Africa, a non-profit organisation co-founded by Toronto Raptors vice-chairman and president Masai Ujiri.
The Giants of Africa clinic returned to Lagos to host a youth basketball clinic at Ilupeju Grammar School, where they unveiled a basketball court in 2021.
The clinic welcomed Prince Harry and Meghan, who shared remarks with the youths and participated in on-court activities.
Ujiri said through their non-profit organisation, the Archewell Foundation, Prince Harry and his wife committed to donate to Giants of Africa, supporting the construction of a new basketball court in Abuja.
This contribution, according to Ujiri, bolters to the organisation’s ambitious initiative, ‘Built Within’, a multi-year, 100-court investment in sports infrastructure across Africa.
“We are grateful to be joined by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at this basketball clinic here in Lagos”, Ujiri said.
“Basketball has the power to unite communities and inspire young people to reach their full potential. Teaming up with the Archewell Foundation, we look forward to creating experiences for young people, empowering them to become leaders, while also fostering pathways to opportunity and hope”.
The basketball clinic participants included boys and girls from Ilupeju Grammar School, along with wheelchair basketball athletes from the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association in Nigeria.
Local Giants of Africa coach and Team Nigeria Paralympian, Dennis Ogbe, led the young athletes through activities that not only focused on athletic skill development but also emphasised the importance of inclusivity, teamwork, perseverance and community engagement.
Prince Harry said, “What you guys are doing here at Giants of Africa is truly amazing. The power of sport can change lives. It brings people together and creates community”.
The Duchess of Sussex, Megan added, “We are thrilled to be here. I lived in Toronto for seven years and that was the first time I’d heard of Giants of Africa – talk about full circle– never did I think we would be able to be here all those years later supporting the expansion of this incredible organisation, through our foundation the Archewell Foundation. We’re so grateful and proud of all the work that you’re doing”.
The couple was invited to the country by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa.
Harry and Meghan arrived in Nigeria on a three-day visit on Friday to promote the Invictus Games, an initiative of Harry to support the rehabilitation of wounded and sick service members and veterans, including Nigerian soldiers engaged in a 14-year conflict against Islamic extremists.
After arriving at the Armed Forces Officers Mess in Abuja and given scarves in the green and white colours of the country, Harry and Meghan watched a game of sitting volleyball, before Harry was invited to play with the team.
The Duke participated in a few rounds of the game, which were played by ‘Team Harry’ and ‘Team CDS’.
The other players were army veterans, most wounded in battle against the country’s Islamist insurgency.
