Giants of Africa Hosts Women’s Empowerment Event in Huye

The event, held at Ecole Notre Dame de la Providence Karubanda, combined classroom-based sessions with a basketball clinic on the school’s court, which was inaugurated by Giants of Africa last May.

“I’m here today at the women’s event to grow my career and talent, and to take my passion for sport to the next level,” said Ikaza Habayo Nemory Lucky, one of the participants. “I love basketball. It started when I was a child. I grew up loving it, and now it’s something I’m maturing to love even more.”

Participants engaged in sessions led by community leaders and Giants of Africa coach Sarah Chan, who facilitated discussions on mindfulness, career development, and the transformative power of sport.

“Seeing young women empowered through sports is deeply personal to me — I was once that girl,” said Chan. “Basketball gave me confidence and opened doors I never imagined. When I look at the girls who took part in the clinic today, I see future leaders, not just athletes.”

Saturday’s event in Huye was one of several hosted across 20 African countries as part of the Giants of Africa Festival, reaching more than 1,000 girls and young women. The initiative is part of the organization’s broader commitment to gender equality through its Women’s Empowerment Initiative.

The festival continued on Sunday with the International Youth Day Forum, presented by ALX, which will gather 3,000 young people aged 15 to 19 for a day of learning and inspiration. Key speakers will include Masai Ujiri, co-founder of Giants of Africa; Robin Roberts, co-anchor of Good Morning America; and Chiney Ogwumike, WNBA All-Star and ESPN analyst.

The day will conclude with the festival’s Opening Show at BK Arena, featuring a parade of the 320 campers and performances by international DJ Uncle Waffles, award-winning choreographer Sherrie Silver, and other artists.