by show of raise of hands how many
by show of raise of hands how many people have been to Africa here whoa
so in recent years Africa and his days
so in recent years Africa and his days for as captivated people all around the
for as captivated people all around the
for as captivated people all around the world from its growth and his investment
world from its growth and his investment
world from its growth and his investment opportunities it’s it’s blowing people
opportunities it’s it’s blowing people
opportunities it’s it’s blowing people away and made waves everywhere I know
away and made waves everywhere I know
away and made waves everywhere I know you’re also a black panther right and
you’re also a black panther right and
you’re also a black panther right and all the records it broke in Hollywood
all the records it broke in Hollywood
all the records it broke in Hollywood Africa also won the 2018 World Cup for
Africa also won the 2018 World Cup for
Africa also won the 2018 World Cup for friends right in light of all this
friends right in light of all this
friends right in light of all this momentum I always get the question
momentum I always get the question
momentum I always get the question what’s next for Africa so by 2050 one
what’s next for Africa so by 2050 one
what’s next for Africa so by 2050 one out of every four people in the world
out of every four people in the world
out of every four people in the world will be African one out of every four by
will be African one out of every four by
will be African one out of every four by this time nine countries will account
this time nine countries will account
this time nine countries will account for half of the world’s population
for half of the world’s population
for half of the world’s population growth okay and most of them are in
growth okay and most of them are in
growth okay and most of them are in Africa so me as a competitive business
Africa so me as a competitive business
Africa so me as a competitive business mind I look at all this potential
mind I look at all this potential
mind I look at all this potential whether it’s real estate or
whether it’s real estate or
whether it’s real estate or entertainment or technology and I’ve
entertainment or technology and I’ve
entertainment or technology and I’ve just come to realize that the most
just come to realize that the most
just come to realize that the most significant opportunity for social
significant opportunity for social
significant opportunity for social economic growth influencing all of these
economic growth influencing all of these
economic growth influencing all of these industries is sports
my name is Masai Ujiri
my name is Masai Ujiri I think of myself sometimes as a
I think of myself sometimes as a
I think of myself sometimes as a philanthropist an activist a basketball
philanthropist an activist a basketball
philanthropist an activist a basketball junkie a sports junkie and the president
junkie a sports junkie and the president
junkie a sports junkie and the president of the Toronto Raptors and when a mast
of the Toronto Raptors and when a mast
of the Toronto Raptors and when a mast was next I believe as sports
was next I believe as sports
was next I believe as sports and the business of sports is the
and the business of sports is the
and the business of sports is the biggest opportunity for the next
biggest opportunity for the next
biggest opportunity for the next generation of Africa so I started
generation of Africa so I started
generation of Africa so I started playing basketball when I was 13 years
playing basketball when I was 13 years
playing basketball when I was 13 years old and I was fortunate to go to school
old and I was fortunate to go to school
old and I was fortunate to go to school in the States and I played professional
in the States and I played professional
in the States and I played professional professionally for in Europe for six
professionally for in Europe for six
professionally for in Europe for six years I wasn’t very good in my quest to
years I wasn’t very good in my quest to
years I wasn’t very good in my quest to find a new career in coaching
find a new career in coaching
find a new career in coaching I found scouting and I went from being
I found scouting and I went from being
I found scouting and I went from being an unpaid scout to get into the position
an unpaid scout to get into the position
an unpaid scout to get into the position that I am now and now I understand that
that I am now and now I understand that
that I am now and now I understand that Africa’s greatness is in his people the
Africa’s greatness is in his people the
Africa’s greatness is in his people the talent of his people and when I
talent of his people and when I
talent of his people and when I travelled around the world and was
travelled around the world and was
travelled around the world and was scouting I just discovered how talented
scouting I just discovered how talented
scouting I just discovered how talented like Africans are in sports
like Africans are in sports
like Africans are in sports so in Senegal or Sudan how long they are
so in Senegal or Sudan how long they are
so in Senegal or Sudan how long they are are the strengths of Nigerians
are the strengths of Nigerians
are the strengths of Nigerians Cameroonians Congolese I know you guys
Cameroonians Congolese I know you guys
Cameroonians Congolese I know you guys have seen Kenya and run the East
have seen Kenya and run the East
have seen Kenya and run the East Africans this talent is unbelievable
Africans this talent is unbelievable
Africans this talent is unbelievable when I studied Giants of Africa my
when I studied Giants of Africa my
when I studied Giants of Africa my foundation I came to realize that I had
foundation I came to realize that I had
foundation I came to realize that I had to do camps and I had a big man camp all
to do camps and I had a big man camp all
to do camps and I had a big man camp all 7-footers and one time a kid shows up
7-footers and one time a kid shows up
7-footers and one time a kid shows up from Eastern Nigeria
from Eastern Nigeria
from Eastern Nigeria he drove 14 hours to come to camp he
he drove 14 hours to come to camp he
he drove 14 hours to come to camp he gets to camp and we had already selected
gets to camp and we had already selected
gets to camp and we had already selected for camp and he said to us I need to be
for camp and he said to us I need to be
for camp and he said to us I need to be in this camp but we were 84 he ended up
in this camp but we were 84 he ended up
in this camp but we were 84 he ended up begging his way to being selected and
begging his way to being selected and
begging his way to being selected and started playing and he says are we
started playing and he says are we
started playing and he says are we allowed to stop
allowed to stop
allowed to stop can we stop thinking what they are this
can we stop thinking what they are this
can we stop thinking what they are this stuff he meant dunk
stuff he meant dunk
stuff he meant dunk so apparently where he plays in his
so apparently where he plays in his
so apparently where he plays in his community he’s not allowed to stuff
community he’s not allowed to stuff
community he’s not allowed to stuff because the rims are not very shaky and
because the rims are not very shaky and
because the rims are not very shaky and he’s not allowed to dunk anyway this kid
he’s not allowed to dunk anyway this kid
he’s not allowed to dunk anyway this kid ends up being selected for basketball
ends up being selected for basketball
ends up being selected for basketball Without Borders and goes to school in
Without Borders and goes to school in
Without Borders and goes to school in Seton Hall and plays professionally in
Seton Hall and plays professionally in
Seton Hall and plays professionally in Europe and in my mind I wonder what of
Europe and in my mind I wonder what of
Europe and in my mind I wonder what of if his gift was not discovered okay
if his gift was not discovered okay
if his gift was not discovered okay and when I look at greats I wait to show
and when I look at greats I wait to show
and when I look at greats I wait to show you some of them and look at Pele from
you some of them and look at Pele from
you some of them and look at Pele from Brazil keep Jogi and Kenya the great
Brazil keep Jogi and Kenya the great
Brazil keep Jogi and Kenya the great Hakeem Olajuwon of Nigeria Serena one of
Hakeem Olajuwon of Nigeria Serena one of
Hakeem Olajuwon of Nigeria Serena one of the greatest athletes in the world right
and the wrong James people always ask me
and the wrong James people always ask me if he’s African I mean cause of his
if he’s African I mean cause of his
if he’s African I mean cause of his physique right so what I’m trying to
physique right so what I’m trying to
physique right so what I’m trying to tell you guys is there are so many
tell you guys is there are so many
tell you guys is there are so many people so many in Africa walking around
people so many in Africa walking around
people so many in Africa walking around walking around like it’s normal that our
walking around like it’s normal that our
walking around like it’s normal that our athletes like this overlooked with no
athletes like this overlooked with no
athletes like this overlooked with no opportunity think about the tribes that
opportunity think about the tribes that
opportunity think about the tribes that have all people that are six foot eight
have all people that are six foot eight
have all people that are six foot eight and over think about the tribes the ebo
and over think about the tribes the ebo
and over think about the tribes the ebo tribes that are stocky and strong all
tribes that are stocky and strong all
tribes that are stocky and strong all like these guys with no opportunity no
like these guys with no opportunity no
like these guys with no opportunity no facilities no coaching
when you look at the African people also
when you look at the African people also they also unbelievable brilliant minds
they also unbelievable brilliant minds
they also unbelievable brilliant minds and stem visionaries and creatives okay
and stem visionaries and creatives okay
and stem visionaries and creatives okay in Africa we have not yet been exposed
in Africa we have not yet been exposed
in Africa we have not yet been exposed to the other side of sports
to the other side of sports
to the other side of sports we haven’t not at all we have to open
we haven’t not at all we have to open
we haven’t not at all we have to open our minds to the possibilities and
our minds to the possibilities and
our minds to the possibilities and opportunities of sports outside of the
opportunities of sports outside of the
opportunities of sports outside of the game I’m the prime example of that I
game I’m the prime example of that I
game I’m the prime example of that I have another example an engineer that
have another example an engineer that
have another example an engineer that works with us with Giants of Africa grew
works with us with Giants of Africa grew
works with us with Giants of Africa grew up playing basketball and he took the
up playing basketball and he took the
up playing basketball and he took the game as far as he went as far as he
game as far as he went as far as he
game as far as he went as far as he could and he decided to study mechanical
could and he decided to study mechanical
could and he decided to study mechanical engineering he started making uprights
engineering he started making uprights
engineering he started making uprights and basketball rims and now in Nigeria
and basketball rims and now in Nigeria
and basketball rims and now in Nigeria he makes all class uprights that’s
he makes all class uprights that’s
he makes all class uprights that’s accessible all over the continent so a
accessible all over the continent so a
accessible all over the continent so a few years ago I used to battle with
few years ago I used to battle with
few years ago I used to battle with buying or trying to buy $15,000
buying or trying to buy $15,000
buying or trying to buy $15,000 basketball rims and uprights sending
basketball rims and uprights sending
basketball rims and uprights sending them to Nigeria shipping costs and it
them to Nigeria shipping costs and it
them to Nigeria shipping costs and it been stalking custom for how long I have
been stalking custom for how long I have
been stalking custom for how long I have to bribe a few people to get it out my
to bribe a few people to get it out my
to bribe a few people to get it out my point to you guys is there is a place in
point to you guys is there is a place in
point to you guys is there is a place in sports for intellectuals a big place in
sports for intellectuals a big place in
sports for intellectuals a big place in sports so
sports so
sports so when I look at in generation Z and
when I look at in generation Z and
when I look at in generation Z and social media and then being born into
social media and then being born into
social media and then being born into technology and mass information sharing
technology and mass information sharing
technology and mass information sharing I know that they have to make the change
I know that they have to make the change
I know that they have to make the change they have to break barriers they have to
they have to break barriers they have to
they have to break barriers they have to open borders to put this in perspective
open borders to put this in perspective
open borders to put this in perspective to you guys 60% 60% of the population of
to you guys 60% 60% of the population of
to you guys 60% 60% of the population of Africa is 25 years and under I think I
Africa is 25 years and under I think I
Africa is 25 years and under I think I have that slight year think about that
have that slight year think about that
have that slight year think about that imagine what it’s going to be 20 to 30
imagine what it’s going to be 20 to 30
imagine what it’s going to be 20 to 30 years from now so it’s not all about
years from now so it’s not all about
years from now so it’s not all about scouting of finding this talent there is
scouting of finding this talent there is
scouting of finding this talent there is a socio-economic ecosystem that the
a socio-economic ecosystem that the
a socio-economic ecosystem that the business of sports creates that includes
business of sports creates that includes
business of sports creates that includes just about every trade every single
just about every trade every single
just about every trade every single trade Under the Sun you don’t have to be
trade Under the Sun you don’t have to be
trade Under the Sun you don’t have to be successful in sports by just being an
successful in sports by just being an
successful in sports by just being an athlete okay you can be way more than
athlete okay you can be way more than
athlete okay you can be way more than that way more than that and my goal and
that way more than that and my goal and
that way more than that and my goal and a lot of people’s goals is to create an
a lot of people’s goals is to create an
a lot of people’s goals is to create an ecosystem
ecosystem
ecosystem I can’t thrive in the continent of
I can’t thrive in the continent of
I can’t thrive in the continent of Africa so look at this picture
as the National Stadium in Nigeria okay
as the National Stadium in Nigeria okay it’s unkept it’s been like that for 30
it’s unkept it’s been like that for 30
it’s unkept it’s been like that for 30 years disorganized dirty I hate to say
years disorganized dirty I hate to say
years disorganized dirty I hate to say it like that but I have to call some
it like that but I have to call some
it like that but I have to call some people out and it bothers me it bothers
people out and it bothers me it bothers
people out and it bothers me it bothers me that it’s been the same way even
me that it’s been the same way even
me that it’s been the same way even before even after I left the country we
before even after I left the country we
before even after I left the country we have every one of this in almost every
have every one of this in almost every
have every one of this in almost every country in Africa now take a look at
country in Africa now take a look at
country in Africa now take a look at this
imagine this it even gives me goosebumps
imagine this it even gives me goosebumps to look at it and to see the kind of
to look at it and to see the kind of
to look at it and to see the kind of opportunity that kids can have and youth
opportunity that kids can have and youth
opportunity that kids can have and youth stadiums arenas hotels restaurants
stadiums arenas hotels restaurants
stadiums arenas hotels restaurants playgrounds so many things that can
playgrounds so many things that can
playgrounds so many things that can change lives we have to challenge
change lives we have to challenge
change lives we have to challenge ourselves we really have to challenge
ourselves we really have to challenge
ourselves we really have to challenge ourselves it really gives me goosebumps
ourselves it really gives me goosebumps
ourselves it really gives me goosebumps it does it makes sometimes it makes me
it does it makes sometimes it makes me
it does it makes sometimes it makes me want to cry because I know I know what
want to cry because I know I know what
want to cry because I know I know what Africans have I know what talent there
Africans have I know what talent there
Africans have I know what talent there is and I know what brilliant minds there
is and I know what brilliant minds there
is and I know what brilliant minds there are on the continent and we have to
are on the continent and we have to
are on the continent and we have to break we have to break this roadblocks
break we have to break this roadblocks
break we have to break this roadblocks this political roadblocks these barriers
this political roadblocks these barriers
this political roadblocks these barriers that stop us from progressing sometimes
that stop us from progressing sometimes
that stop us from progressing sometimes and I know it’s possible because when I
and I know it’s possible because when I
and I know it’s possible because when I started my camps ten years ago or 15
started my camps ten years ago or 15
started my camps ten years ago or 15 years ago I did my camps for ten
years ago I did my camps for ten
years ago I did my camps for ten straight years in Nigeria ten straight
straight years in Nigeria ten straight
straight years in Nigeria ten straight years and then they frustrated me for a
years and then they frustrated me for a
years and then they frustrated me for a couple of things and I decided to go to
couple of things and I decided to go to
couple of things and I decided to go to to Kenya my mom’s country I found out
to Kenya my mom’s country I found out
to Kenya my mom’s country I found out how cool and how easy when you want to
how cool and how easy when you want to
how cool and how easy when you want to make contact with people and open these
make contact with people and open these
make contact with people and open these barriers and build a network and learn
barriers and build a network and learn
barriers and build a network and learn other people’s culture and how well we
other people’s culture and how well we
other people’s culture and how well we are received by these people it wasn’t
are received by these people it wasn’t
are received by these people it wasn’t that hard and so when I think of this
that hard and so when I think of this
that hard and so when I think of this and where we can go and the support that
and where we can go and the support that
and where we can go and the support that we can get from institutions like FIBA
we can get from institutions like FIBA
we can get from institutions like FIBA like the NBA FIFA all these institutions
like the NBA FIFA all these institutions
like the NBA FIFA all these institutions can give us some kind of support to
can give us some kind of support to
can give us some kind of support to build some kind of standard of
build some kind of standard of
build some kind of standard of competition so we can see our athletes
competition so we can see our athletes
competition so we can see our athletes perform on the continent
perform on the continent
perform on the continent and we can grow our own athletes on the
and we can grow our own athletes on the
and we can grow our own athletes on the continent and develop them by the way
continent and develop them by the way
continent and develop them by the way does this all doesn’t work out I just
does this all doesn’t work out I just
does this all doesn’t work out I just get all these talents and bring them to
get all these talents and bring them to
get all these talents and bring them to the Raptors when you invest in sports
the Raptors when you invest in sports
the Raptors when you invest in sports you have to understand you invest in so
you have to understand you invest in so
you have to understand you invest in so many things tourism real wage employment
many things tourism real wage employment
many things tourism real wage employment real estate development jobs jobs you
real estate development jobs jobs you
real estate development jobs jobs you create jobs for people I can’t wait till
create jobs for people I can’t wait till
create jobs for people I can’t wait till it’s like that in Africa I really really
it’s like that in Africa I really really
it’s like that in Africa I really really can’t wait because it is going to get
can’t wait because it is going to get
can’t wait because it is going to get there someday
there someday
there someday it really is it’s going to be big
it really is it’s going to be big
it really is it’s going to be big business big business that you can
business big business that you can
business big business that you can imagine the NCAA generated 1.1 billion
imagine the NCAA generated 1.1 billion
imagine the NCAA generated 1.1 billion dollars this year the Premiership I know
dollars this year the Premiership I know
dollars this year the Premiership I know you guys follow the Premiership 2.4 to
you guys follow the Premiership 2.4 to
you guys follow the Premiership 2.4 to billion
billion
billion revenue the mba 7.4 million seven point
revenue the mba 7.4 million seven point
revenue the mba 7.4 million seven point four billion dollars in revenue this is
four billion dollars in revenue this is
four billion dollars in revenue this is big time as we continue to think about
big time as we continue to think about
big time as we continue to think about this we have to think now and we have to
this we have to think now and we have to
this we have to think now and we have to think future we have to think about this
think future we have to think about this
think future we have to think about this generation and how we help our kids
because sports brings people together ok
because sports brings people together ok has a unique way of bringing people
has a unique way of bringing people
has a unique way of bringing people together it gives us a sense of hope
together it gives us a sense of hope
together it gives us a sense of hope pride joy a place for refuge take a look
pride joy a place for refuge take a look
pride joy a place for refuge take a look at this court we just built this court
at this court we just built this court
at this court we just built this court in northern Kenya in a Lego it shows the
in northern Kenya in a Lego it shows the
in northern Kenya in a Lego it shows the culture of our people a passion I love
culture of our people a passion I love
culture of our people a passion I love looking at it because it looks at
looking at it because it looks at
looking at it because it looks at everywhere in Africa I have to develop
everywhere in Africa I have to develop
everywhere in Africa I have to develop the continent and when I see the
the continent and when I see the
the continent and when I see the perception of Africa being always
perception of Africa being always
perception of Africa being always poverty and propaganda a lot of times it
poverty and propaganda a lot of times it
poverty and propaganda a lot of times it bothers me I have to provoke these new
bothers me I have to provoke these new
bothers me I have to provoke these new leaders and innovative thinkers to know
leaders and innovative thinkers to know
leaders and innovative thinkers to know that there’s a vibrant Africa is an
that there’s a vibrant Africa is an
that there’s a vibrant Africa is an unbelievable culture their investments
unbelievable culture their investments
unbelievable culture their investments there are business opportunities and
there are business opportunities and
there are business opportunities and most importantly there are people there
most importantly there are people there
most importantly there are people there are people that are waiting for us I
are people that are waiting for us I
are people that are waiting for us I talk about basketball so much because
talk about basketball so much because
talk about basketball so much because this is my domain but this is inclusive
this is my domain but this is inclusive
this is my domain but this is inclusive in all sports every single sport that
in all sports every single sport that
in all sports every single sport that can be played on the continent
can be played on the continent
can be played on the continent of Africa what can we do to help how can
of Africa what can we do to help how can
of Africa what can we do to help how can we get involved you can get involved by
we get involved you can get involved by
we get involved you can get involved by investing in grassroots by encouraging
investing in grassroots by encouraging
investing in grassroots by encouraging young girls and women by hiring the
young girls and women by hiring the
young girls and women by hiring the right people and appointing the right
right people and appointing the right
right people and appointing the right people over there by encouraging the
people over there by encouraging the
people over there by encouraging the private sector to invest in sports in
private sector to invest in sports in
private sector to invest in sports in Africa I always imagined what of if we
Africa I always imagined what of if we
Africa I always imagined what of if we could build 100 courts or 100 fields in
could build 100 courts or 100 fields in
could build 100 courts or 100 fields in every single country in Africa whoa come
every single country in Africa whoa come
every single country in Africa whoa come out of that what we’ve what if we could
out of that what we’ve what if we could
out of that what we’ve what if we could get them a million balls for every sport
get them a million balls for every sport
get them a million balls for every sport that uses a ball what if we had an NCAA
that uses a ball what if we had an NCAA
that uses a ball what if we had an NCAA Africa what would it be like imagine
Africa what would it be like imagine
Africa what would it be like imagine what it would be like with all these
what it would be like with all these
what it would be like with all these athletes be unbelievable and many things
athletes be unbelievable and many things
athletes be unbelievable and many things that we have to do and they are not that
that we have to do and they are not that
that we have to do and they are not that difficult not that difficult we have to
difficult not that difficult we have to
difficult not that difficult we have to hire experts appoint experts okay when
hire experts appoint experts okay when
hire experts appoint experts okay when we do our cabinet reshuffles don’t put
we do our cabinet reshuffles don’t put
we do our cabinet reshuffles don’t put the Minister of Agriculture to become
the Minister of Agriculture to become
the Minister of Agriculture to become the minister of sports he doesn’t know
the minister of sports he doesn’t know
the minister of sports he doesn’t know about sports he doesn’t give the
about sports he doesn’t give the
about sports he doesn’t give the youth a chance give the next generation
youth a chance give the next generation
youth a chance give the next generation a chance I’m telling you guys I’m
a chance I’m telling you guys I’m
a chance I’m telling you guys I’m telling you listen to me it’s time to be
telling you listen to me it’s time to be
telling you listen to me it’s time to be curious about Africa it’s time pay
curious about Africa it’s time pay
curious about Africa it’s time pay attention okay I know this audience
attention okay I know this audience
attention okay I know this audience might not really be involved but pay
might not really be involved but pay
might not really be involved but pay attention really pay attention
attention really pay attention
attention really pay attention especially business minds we’re not
especially business minds we’re not
especially business minds we’re not looking for charity anymore in
looking for charity anymore in
looking for charity anymore in Africa we’re not looking for aid but
Africa we’re not looking for aid but
Africa we’re not looking for aid but looking for investors while looking for
looking for investors while looking for
looking for investors while looking for people that will create the next
people that will create the next
people that will create the next generation I used to think and I used to
generation I used to think and I used to
generation I used to think and I used to say that Africa is going to be great and
say that Africa is going to be great and
say that Africa is going to be great and I hope that I’m alive when it happens
I hope that I’m alive when it happens
I hope that I’m alive when it happens I’ve come to realize now have realized
I’ve come to realize now have realized
I’ve come to realize now have realized that Africa is now thank you very much
that Africa is now thank you very much
that Africa is now thank you very much and thank you for listening to me thank
and thank you for listening to me thank
and thank you for listening to me thank you
you
you [Applause]
by show of raise of hands how many people have been to Africa here whoa
so in recent years Africa and his days
so in recent years Africa and his days for as captivated people all around the
for as captivated people all around the
for as captivated people all around the world from its growth and his investment
world from its growth and his investment
world from its growth and his investment opportunities it’s it’s blowing people
opportunities it’s it’s blowing people
opportunities it’s it’s blowing people away and made waves everywhere I know
away and made waves everywhere I know
away and made waves everywhere I know you’re also a black panther right and
you’re also a black panther right and
you’re also a black panther right and all the records it broke in Hollywood
all the records it broke in Hollywood
all the records it broke in Hollywood Africa also won the 2018 World Cup for
Africa also won the 2018 World Cup for
Africa also won the 2018 World Cup for friends right in light of all this
friends right in light of all this
friends right in light of all this momentum I always get the question
momentum I always get the question
momentum I always get the question what’s next for Africa so by 2050 one
what’s next for Africa so by 2050 one
what’s next for Africa so by 2050 one out of every four people in the world
out of every four people in the world
out of every four people in the world will be African one out of every four by
will be African one out of every four by
will be African one out of every four by this time nine countries will account
this time nine countries will account
this time nine countries will account for half of the world’s population
for half of the world’s population
for half of the world’s population growth okay and most of them are in
growth okay and most of them are in
growth okay and most of them are in Africa so me as a competitive business
Africa so me as a competitive business
Africa so me as a competitive business mind I look at all this potential
mind I look at all this potential
mind I look at all this potential whether it’s real estate or
whether it’s real estate or
whether it’s real estate or entertainment or technology and I’ve
entertainment or technology and I’ve
entertainment or technology and I’ve just come to realize that the most
just come to realize that the most
just come to realize that the most significant opportunity for social
significant opportunity for social
significant opportunity for social economic growth influencing all of these
economic growth influencing all of these
economic growth influencing all of these industries is sports
my name is Masai Ujiri
my name is Masai Ujiri I think of myself sometimes as a
I think of myself sometimes as a
I think of myself sometimes as a philanthropist an activist a basketball
philanthropist an activist a basketball
philanthropist an activist a basketball junkie a sports junkie and the president
junkie a sports junkie and the president
junkie a sports junkie and the president of the Toronto Raptors and when a mast
of the Toronto Raptors and when a mast
of the Toronto Raptors and when a mast was next I believe as sports
was next I believe as sports
was next I believe as sports and the business of sports is the
and the business of sports is the
and the business of sports is the biggest opportunity for the next
biggest opportunity for the next
biggest opportunity for the next generation of Africa so I started
generation of Africa so I started
generation of Africa so I started playing basketball when I was 13 years
playing basketball when I was 13 years
playing basketball when I was 13 years old and I was fortunate to go to school
old and I was fortunate to go to school
old and I was fortunate to go to school in the States and I played professional
in the States and I played professional
in the States and I played professional professionally for in Europe for six
professionally for in Europe for six
professionally for in Europe for six years I wasn’t very good in my quest to
years I wasn’t very good in my quest to
years I wasn’t very good in my quest to find a new career in coaching
find a new career in coaching
find a new career in coaching I found scouting and I went from being
I found scouting and I went from being
I found scouting and I went from being an unpaid scout to get into the position
an unpaid scout to get into the position
an unpaid scout to get into the position that I am now and now I understand that
that I am now and now I understand that
that I am now and now I understand that Africa’s greatness is in his people the
Africa’s greatness is in his people the
Africa’s greatness is in his people the talent of his people and when I
talent of his people and when I
talent of his people and when I travelled around the world and was
travelled around the world and was
travelled around the world and was scouting I just discovered how talented
scouting I just discovered how talented
scouting I just discovered how talented like Africans are in sports
like Africans are in sports
like Africans are in sports so in Senegal or Sudan how long they are
so in Senegal or Sudan how long they are
so in Senegal or Sudan how long they are are the strengths of Nigerians
are the strengths of Nigerians
are the strengths of Nigerians Cameroonians Congolese I know you guys
Cameroonians Congolese I know you guys
Cameroonians Congolese I know you guys have seen Kenya and run the East
have seen Kenya and run the East
have seen Kenya and run the East Africans this talent is unbelievable
Africans this talent is unbelievable
Africans this talent is unbelievable when I studied Giants of Africa my
when I studied Giants of Africa my
when I studied Giants of Africa my foundation I came to realize that I had
foundation I came to realize that I had
foundation I came to realize that I had to do camps and I had a big man camp all
to do camps and I had a big man camp all
to do camps and I had a big man camp all 7-footers and one time a kid shows up
7-footers and one time a kid shows up
7-footers and one time a kid shows up from Eastern Nigeria
from Eastern Nigeria
from Eastern Nigeria he drove 14 hours to come to camp he
he drove 14 hours to come to camp he
he drove 14 hours to come to camp he gets to camp and we had already selected
gets to camp and we had already selected
gets to camp and we had already selected for camp and he said to us I need to be
for camp and he said to us I need to be
for camp and he said to us I need to be in this camp but we were 84 he ended up
in this camp but we were 84 he ended up
in this camp but we were 84 he ended up begging his way to being selected and
begging his way to being selected and
begging his way to being selected and started playing and he says are we
started playing and he says are we
started playing and he says are we allowed to stop
allowed to stop
allowed to stop can we stop thinking what they are this
can we stop thinking what they are this
can we stop thinking what they are this stuff he meant dunk
stuff he meant dunk
stuff he meant dunk so apparently where he plays in his
so apparently where he plays in his
so apparently where he plays in his community he’s not allowed to stuff
community he’s not allowed to stuff
community he’s not allowed to stuff because the rims are not very shaky and
because the rims are not very shaky and
because the rims are not very shaky and he’s not allowed to dunk anyway this kid
he’s not allowed to dunk anyway this kid
he’s not allowed to dunk anyway this kid ends up being selected for basketball
ends up being selected for basketball
ends up being selected for basketball Without Borders and goes to school in
Without Borders and goes to school in
Without Borders and goes to school in Seton Hall and plays professionally in
Seton Hall and plays professionally in
Seton Hall and plays professionally in Europe and in my mind I wonder what of
Europe and in my mind I wonder what of
Europe and in my mind I wonder what of if his gift was not discovered okay
if his gift was not discovered okay
if his gift was not discovered okay and when I look at greats I wait to show
and when I look at greats I wait to show
and when I look at greats I wait to show you some of them and look at Pele from
you some of them and look at Pele from
you some of them and look at Pele from Brazil keep Jogi and Kenya the great
Brazil keep Jogi and Kenya the great
Brazil keep Jogi and Kenya the great Hakeem Olajuwon of Nigeria Serena one of
Hakeem Olajuwon of Nigeria Serena one of
Hakeem Olajuwon of Nigeria Serena one of the greatest athletes in the world right
and the wrong James people always ask me
and the wrong James people always ask me if he’s African I mean cause of his
if he’s African I mean cause of his
if he’s African I mean cause of his physique right so what I’m trying to
physique right so what I’m trying to
physique right so what I’m trying to tell you guys is there are so many
tell you guys is there are so many
tell you guys is there are so many people so many in Africa walking around
people so many in Africa walking around
people so many in Africa walking around walking around like it’s normal that our
walking around like it’s normal that our
walking around like it’s normal that our athletes like this overlooked with no
athletes like this overlooked with no
athletes like this overlooked with no opportunity think about the tribes that
opportunity think about the tribes that
opportunity think about the tribes that have all people that are six foot eight
have all people that are six foot eight
have all people that are six foot eight and over think about the tribes the ebo
and over think about the tribes the ebo
and over think about the tribes the ebo tribes that are stocky and strong all
tribes that are stocky and strong all
tribes that are stocky and strong all like these guys with no opportunity no
like these guys with no opportunity no
like these guys with no opportunity no facilities no coaching
when you look at the African people also
when you look at the African people also they also unbelievable brilliant minds
they also unbelievable brilliant minds
they also unbelievable brilliant minds and stem visionaries and creatives okay
and stem visionaries and creatives okay
and stem visionaries and creatives okay in Africa we have not yet been exposed
in Africa we have not yet been exposed
in Africa we have not yet been exposed to the other side of sports
to the other side of sports
to the other side of sports we haven’t not at all we have to open
we haven’t not at all we have to open
we haven’t not at all we have to open our minds to the possibilities and
our minds to the possibilities and
our minds to the possibilities and opportunities of sports outside of the
opportunities of sports outside of the
opportunities of sports outside of the game I’m the prime example of that I
game I’m the prime example of that I
game I’m the prime example of that I have another example an engineer that
have another example an engineer that
have another example an engineer that works with us with Giants of Africa grew
works with us with Giants of Africa grew
works with us with Giants of Africa grew up playing basketball and he took the
up playing basketball and he took the
up playing basketball and he took the game as far as he went as far as he
game as far as he went as far as he
game as far as he went as far as he could and he decided to study mechanical
could and he decided to study mechanical
could and he decided to study mechanical engineering he started making uprights
engineering he started making uprights
engineering he started making uprights and basketball rims and now in Nigeria
and basketball rims and now in Nigeria
and basketball rims and now in Nigeria he makes all class uprights that’s
he makes all class uprights that’s
he makes all class uprights that’s accessible all over the continent so a
accessible all over the continent so a
accessible all over the continent so a few years ago I used to battle with
few years ago I used to battle with
few years ago I used to battle with buying or trying to buy $15,000
buying or trying to buy $15,000
buying or trying to buy $15,000 basketball rims and uprights sending
basketball rims and uprights sending
basketball rims and uprights sending them to Nigeria shipping costs and it
them to Nigeria shipping costs and it
them to Nigeria shipping costs and it been stalking custom for how long I have
been stalking custom for how long I have
been stalking custom for how long I have to bribe a few people to get it out my
to bribe a few people to get it out my
to bribe a few people to get it out my point to you guys is there is a place in
point to you guys is there is a place in
point to you guys is there is a place in sports for intellectuals a big place in
sports for intellectuals a big place in
sports for intellectuals a big place in sports so
sports so
sports so when I look at in generation Z and
when I look at in generation Z and
when I look at in generation Z and social media and then being born into
social media and then being born into
social media and then being born into technology and mass information sharing
technology and mass information sharing
technology and mass information sharing I know that they have to make the change
I know that they have to make the change
I know that they have to make the change they have to break barriers they have to
they have to break barriers they have to
they have to break barriers they have to open borders to put this in perspective
open borders to put this in perspective
open borders to put this in perspective to you guys 60% 60% of the population of
to you guys 60% 60% of the population of
to you guys 60% 60% of the population of Africa is 25 years and under I think I
Africa is 25 years and under I think I
Africa is 25 years and under I think I have that slight year think about that
have that slight year think about that
have that slight year think about that imagine what it’s going to be 20 to 30
imagine what it’s going to be 20 to 30
imagine what it’s going to be 20 to 30 years from now so it’s not all about
years from now so it’s not all about
years from now so it’s not all about scouting of finding this talent there is
scouting of finding this talent there is
scouting of finding this talent there is a socio-economic ecosystem that the
a socio-economic ecosystem that the
a socio-economic ecosystem that the business of sports creates that includes
business of sports creates that includes
business of sports creates that includes just about every trade every single
just about every trade every single
just about every trade every single trade Under the Sun you don’t have to be
trade Under the Sun you don’t have to be
trade Under the Sun you don’t have to be successful in sports by just being an
successful in sports by just being an
successful in sports by just being an athlete okay you can be way more than
athlete okay you can be way more than
athlete okay you can be way more than that way more than that and my goal and
that way more than that and my goal and
that way more than that and my goal and a lot of people’s goals is to create an
a lot of people’s goals is to create an
a lot of people’s goals is to create an ecosystem
ecosystem
ecosystem I can’t thrive in the continent of
I can’t thrive in the continent of
I can’t thrive in the continent of Africa so look at this picture
as the National Stadium in Nigeria okay
as the National Stadium in Nigeria okay it’s unkept it’s been like that for 30
it’s unkept it’s been like that for 30
it’s unkept it’s been like that for 30 years disorganized dirty I hate to say
years disorganized dirty I hate to say
years disorganized dirty I hate to say it like that but I have to call some
it like that but I have to call some
it like that but I have to call some people out and it bothers me it bothers
people out and it bothers me it bothers
people out and it bothers me it bothers me that it’s been the same way even
me that it’s been the same way even
me that it’s been the same way even before even after I left the country we
before even after I left the country we
before even after I left the country we have every one of this in almost every
have every one of this in almost every
have every one of this in almost every country in Africa now take a look at
country in Africa now take a look at
country in Africa now take a look at this
imagine this it even gives me goosebumps
imagine this it even gives me goosebumps to look at it and to see the kind of
to look at it and to see the kind of
to look at it and to see the kind of opportunity that kids can have and youth
opportunity that kids can have and youth
opportunity that kids can have and youth stadiums arenas hotels restaurants
stadiums arenas hotels restaurants
stadiums arenas hotels restaurants playgrounds so many things that can
playgrounds so many things that can
playgrounds so many things that can change lives we have to challenge
change lives we have to challenge
change lives we have to challenge ourselves we really have to challenge
ourselves we really have to challenge
ourselves we really have to challenge ourselves it really gives me goosebumps
ourselves it really gives me goosebumps
ourselves it really gives me goosebumps it does it makes sometimes it makes me
it does it makes sometimes it makes me
it does it makes sometimes it makes me want to cry because I know I know what
want to cry because I know I know what
want to cry because I know I know what Africans have I know what talent there
Africans have I know what talent there
Africans have I know what talent there is and I know what brilliant minds there
is and I know what brilliant minds there
is and I know what brilliant minds there are on the continent and we have to
are on the continent and we have to
are on the continent and we have to break we have to break this roadblocks
break we have to break this roadblocks
break we have to break this roadblocks this political roadblocks these barriers
this political roadblocks these barriers
this political roadblocks these barriers that stop us from progressing sometimes
that stop us from progressing sometimes
that stop us from progressing sometimes and I know it’s possible because when I
and I know it’s possible because when I
and I know it’s possible because when I started my camps ten years ago or 15
started my camps ten years ago or 15
started my camps ten years ago or 15 years ago I did my camps for ten
years ago I did my camps for ten
years ago I did my camps for ten straight years in Nigeria ten straight
straight years in Nigeria ten straight
straight years in Nigeria ten straight years and then they frustrated me for a
years and then they frustrated me for a
years and then they frustrated me for a couple of things and I decided to go to
couple of things and I decided to go to
couple of things and I decided to go to to Kenya my mom’s country I found out
to Kenya my mom’s country I found out
to Kenya my mom’s country I found out how cool and how easy when you want to
how cool and how easy when you want to
how cool and how easy when you want to make contact with people and open these
make contact with people and open these
make contact with people and open these barriers and build a network and learn
barriers and build a network and learn
barriers and build a network and learn other people’s culture and how well we
other people’s culture and how well we
other people’s culture and how well we are received by these people it wasn’t
are received by these people it wasn’t
are received by these people it wasn’t that hard and so when I think of this
that hard and so when I think of this
that hard and so when I think of this and where we can go and the support that
and where we can go and the support that
and where we can go and the support that we can get from institutions like FIBA
we can get from institutions like FIBA
we can get from institutions like FIBA like the NBA FIFA all these institutions
like the NBA FIFA all these institutions
like the NBA FIFA all these institutions can give us some kind of support to
can give us some kind of support to
can give us some kind of support to build some kind of standard of
build some kind of standard of
build some kind of standard of competition so we can see our athletes
competition so we can see our athletes
competition so we can see our athletes perform on the continent
perform on the continent
perform on the continent and we can grow our own athletes on the
and we can grow our own athletes on the
and we can grow our own athletes on the continent and develop them by the way
continent and develop them by the way
continent and develop them by the way does this all doesn’t work out I just
does this all doesn’t work out I just
does this all doesn’t work out I just get all these talents and bring them to
get all these talents and bring them to
get all these talents and bring them to the Raptors when you invest in sports
the Raptors when you invest in sports
the Raptors when you invest in sports you have to understand you invest in so
you have to understand you invest in so
you have to understand you invest in so many things tourism real wage employment
many things tourism real wage employment
many things tourism real wage employment real estate development jobs jobs you
real estate development jobs jobs you
real estate development jobs jobs you create jobs for people I can’t wait till
create jobs for people I can’t wait till
create jobs for people I can’t wait till it’s like that in Africa I really really
it’s like that in Africa I really really
it’s like that in Africa I really really can’t wait because it is going to get
can’t wait because it is going to get
can’t wait because it is going to get there someday
there someday
there someday it really is it’s going to be big
it really is it’s going to be big
it really is it’s going to be big business big business that you can
business big business that you can
business big business that you can imagine the NCAA generated 1.1 billion
imagine the NCAA generated 1.1 billion
imagine the NCAA generated 1.1 billion dollars this year the Premiership I know
dollars this year the Premiership I know
dollars this year the Premiership I know you guys follow the Premiership 2.4 to
you guys follow the Premiership 2.4 to
you guys follow the Premiership 2.4 to billion
billion
billion revenue the mba 7.4 million seven point
revenue the mba 7.4 million seven point
revenue the mba 7.4 million seven point four billion dollars in revenue this is
four billion dollars in revenue this is
four billion dollars in revenue this is big time as we continue to think about
big time as we continue to think about
big time as we continue to think about this we have to think now and we have to
this we have to think now and we have to
this we have to think now and we have to think future we have to think about this
think future we have to think about this
think future we have to think about this generation and how we help our kids
because sports brings people together ok
because sports brings people together ok has a unique way of bringing people
has a unique way of bringing people
has a unique way of bringing people together it gives us a sense of hope
together it gives us a sense of hope
together it gives us a sense of hope pride joy a place for refuge take a look
pride joy a place for refuge take a look
pride joy a place for refuge take a look at this court we just built this court
at this court we just built this court
at this court we just built this court in northern Kenya in a Lego it shows the
in northern Kenya in a Lego it shows the
in northern Kenya in a Lego it shows the culture of our people a passion I love
culture of our people a passion I love
culture of our people a passion I love looking at it because it looks at
looking at it because it looks at
looking at it because it looks at everywhere in Africa I have to develop
everywhere in Africa I have to develop
everywhere in Africa I have to develop the continent and when I see the
the continent and when I see the
the continent and when I see the perception of Africa being always
perception of Africa being always
perception of Africa being always poverty and propaganda a lot of times it
poverty and propaganda a lot of times it
poverty and propaganda a lot of times it bothers me I have to provoke these new
bothers me I have to provoke these new
bothers me I have to provoke these new leaders and innovative thinkers to know
leaders and innovative thinkers to know
leaders and innovative thinkers to know that there’s a vibrant Africa is an
that there’s a vibrant Africa is an
that there’s a vibrant Africa is an unbelievable culture their investments
unbelievable culture their investments
unbelievable culture their investments there are business opportunities and
there are business opportunities and
there are business opportunities and most importantly there are people there
most importantly there are people there
most importantly there are people there are people that are waiting for us I
are people that are waiting for us I
are people that are waiting for us I talk about basketball so much because
talk about basketball so much because
talk about basketball so much because this is my domain but this is inclusive
this is my domain but this is inclusive
this is my domain but this is inclusive in all sports every single sport that
in all sports every single sport that
in all sports every single sport that can be played on the continent
can be played on the continent
can be played on the continent of Africa what can we do to help how can
of Africa what can we do to help how can
of Africa what can we do to help how can we get involved you can get involved by
we get involved you can get involved by
we get involved you can get involved by investing in grassroots by encouraging
investing in grassroots by encouraging
investing in grassroots by encouraging young girls and women by hiring the
young girls and women by hiring the
young girls and women by hiring the right people and appointing the right
right people and appointing the right
right people and appointing the right people over there by encouraging the
people over there by encouraging the
people over there by encouraging the private sector to invest in sports in
private sector to invest in sports in
private sector to invest in sports in Africa I always imagined what of if we
Africa I always imagined what of if we
Africa I always imagined what of if we could build 100 courts or 100 fields in
could build 100 courts or 100 fields in
could build 100 courts or 100 fields in every single country in Africa whoa come
every single country in Africa whoa come
every single country in Africa whoa come out of that what we’ve what if we could
out of that what we’ve what if we could
out of that what we’ve what if we could get them a million balls for every sport
get them a million balls for every sport
get them a million balls for every sport that uses a ball what if we had an NCAA
that uses a ball what if we had an NCAA
that uses a ball what if we had an NCAA Africa what would it be like imagine
Africa what would it be like imagine
Africa what would it be like imagine what it would be like with all these
what it would be like with all these
what it would be like with all these athletes be unbelievable and many things
athletes be unbelievable and many things
athletes be unbelievable and many things that we have to do and they are not that
that we have to do and they are not that
that we have to do and they are not that difficult not that difficult we have to
difficult not that difficult we have to
difficult not that difficult we have to hire experts appoint experts okay when
hire experts appoint experts okay when
hire experts appoint experts okay when we do our cabinet reshuffles don’t put
we do our cabinet reshuffles don’t put
we do our cabinet reshuffles don’t put the Minister of Agriculture to become
the Minister of Agriculture to become
the Minister of Agriculture to become the minister of sports he doesn’t know
the minister of sports he doesn’t know
the minister of sports he doesn’t know about sports he doesn’t give the
about sports he doesn’t give the
about sports he doesn’t give the youth a chance give the next generation
youth a chance give the next generation
youth a chance give the next generation a chance I’m telling you guys I’m
a chance I’m telling you guys I’m
a chance I’m telling you guys I’m telling you listen to me it’s time to be
telling you listen to me it’s time to be
telling you listen to me it’s time to be curious about Africa it’s time pay
curious about Africa it’s time pay
curious about Africa it’s time pay attention okay I know this audience
attention okay I know this audience
attention okay I know this audience might not really be involved but pay
might not really be involved but pay
might not really be involved but pay attention really pay attention
attention really pay attention
attention really pay attention especially business minds we’re not
especially business minds we’re not
especially business minds we’re not looking for charity anymore in
looking for charity anymore in
looking for charity anymore in Africa we’re not looking for aid but
Africa we’re not looking for aid but
Africa we’re not looking for aid but looking for investors while looking for
looking for investors while looking for
looking for investors while looking for people that will create the next
people that will create the next
people that will create the next generation I used to think and I used to
generation I used to think and I used to
generation I used to think and I used to say that Africa is going to be great and
say that Africa is going to be great and
say that Africa is going to be great and I hope that I’m alive when it happens
I hope that I’m alive when it happens
I hope that I’m alive when it happens I’ve come to realize now have realized
I’ve come to realize now have realized
I’ve come to realize now have realized that Africa is now thank you very much
that Africa is now thank you very much
that Africa is now thank you very much and thank you for listening to me thank
and thank you for listening to me thank
and thank you for listening to me thank you
you
you [Applause]
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