Ujiri urges authorities and citizens to adopt a culture of preservation and upkeep.

Masai Ujiri, co-founder of Giants of Africa and President and Alternate Governor of the Dallas Mavericks, has urged governments and institutions in Nigeria to prioritize the upkeep of public facilities, emphasizing the need for proper maintenance over the construction of new ones that are often left to deteriorate.

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Speaking at the launch of the 50th basketball court under the Giants of Africa "Built Within" initiative, held at King's College Lagos on Monday, Ujiri stressed that maintaining existing facilities is crucial, rather than focusing solely on building new ones and neglecting their upkeep.

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The event marked a significant milestone for the organization, with Ujiri describing it as a moment of fulfillment in their mission to empower young Africans through basketball, as they work towards providing 100 courts across the continent.

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Ujiri expressed his joy and sense of accomplishment at having the 50th court launched, particularly at a historic institution like King's College Lagos, which he believes is an ideal location for the facility.

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However, he also noted that the school's structures are in dire need of modernization, with the newly launched basketball facility being a stark contrast to the outdated buildings, prompting him to challenge the school's administrators and government to take urgent action to upgrade the facilities.

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As someone who has consistently spoken out about the importance of maintaining facilities in Nigeria, Ujiri has been vocal about the need to renovate the National Stadium in Lagos, which has been in a state of disrepair for over 10 years.

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Ujiri emphasized that many facilities in Nigeria, including King's College, require merely a facelift to be restored to their former glory, rather than being completely rebuilt, and that this applies to numerous structures across the country.

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He questioned how the National Stadium could be allowed to fall into such a state of disrepair, emphasizing the need for Nigeria to demonstrate leadership and set an example for other African countries to follow.

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Ujiri stressed that sports is a significant business sector, and as such, it should be treated with the seriousness and investment it deserves, rather than being neglected and underfunded.

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The newly completed basketball facility at King's College Lagos is part of the Giants of Africa's ambitious goal of constructing 100 courts across Africa, aimed at promoting youth development through sports, with a focus on providing modern and well-maintained facilities.