Sakaja says Nairobi to partner with NBA boss to build state-of-the-art basketball arena

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has announced that Kenya will collaborate with Giants of Africa co-founder and Vice Chair of the NBA's Toronto Raptors Masai Ujiri, to establish a state-of-the-art arena dedicated to hosting high-level basketball tournaments locally.

Sakaja's proclamation was preceded by a State announcement declaring that President William Ruto had on Thursday, in New York, witnessed the inking of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kenya and the NBA to develop basketball locally.

As part of the MoU, the NBA will likewise establish an office in Nairobi, augment available basketball infrastructure across the country and train local players and coaches.

"Slam Dunk! The NBA and NBA Africa in Nairobi from November. Great wins for us led by President William Ruto," Sakaja said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.

"Additionally, we are working with Masai Ujiri to create the Nairobi Arena, (check out the Kigali Arena); this will be bigger and more exciting. Even as it’s at the exploratory stage, the commitment by both the National and County Gov't should give this the required impetus. A great opportunity for our young people. We must get it right."

Through his Giants of Africa Foundation, Ujiri has been empowering African youth through basketball for nearly 20 years by organising basketball training camps across 17 African states, Kenya included.

In August, Ujiri broke ground on his inaugural urban development project in Kigali which will become a centre space for social, cultural and community gatherings in addition to functioning as a sports hub.