Toronto, Canada – For the second consecutive year, Toronto Raptors President and General Manager Masai Ujiri will honour his hero, Nelson Mandela, alongside some of the world’s biggest sports icons on December 5.
To commemorate the second anniversary of Mandela’s passing, ‘The Giant of Africa’ will be an evening-long celebration of the late former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner while supporting Ujiri’s non-profit organisation, Giants of Africa, and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
“The Giant of Africa’ tribute will celebrate Mandela’s life, legacy and ability to inspire positive change,” the Raptors said in a statement.
“Special guest participants will share stories and remarks on the impact that Mandela has on the world and how it transcends borders, cultures and time.”
The event will feature a panel discussion inside the Toronto Raptors’ practice court following the Raptors’ game against the 2015 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors.
Special guests currently slated to attend include sports legend Didier Drogba, as well as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Tokyo Sexwale from the Nelson Mandela Foundation and international models Alek Wek and Winnie Harlow.
‘The Giant of Africa’ event will raise funds for the Nelson Mandela Foundation as well as Ujiri’s Giants of Africa charity with the goal of continuing to create growth and development opportunities for African youth.
The tribute to Mandela’s life will be honoured in-game as the Raptors take on the Warriors. To honour Mandela, the full Raptors and Warrior teams will wear special, limited edition, Adidas shooting shirts and the coaching staff and front office of both teams will don commemorative Giant of Africa lapel pins.
“Nelson Mandela knew that sport has the power to inspire and unite people in a way that little else does,” said Ujiri.
“We are honoured and humbled to be able to celebrate his legacy on December 5 for the second consecutive year.”
To commemorate this special celebration, the Toronto Raptors team store, powered by Real Sports Apparel will sell limited edition ‘The Giant of Africa’ t-shirts featuring Mandela’s five pillars: being a leader, fighting for freedom, creating a better future, committing to the community and using sport to inspire change. – African News Agency (ANA)