NBA Africa, Rise tell Nigerian youths to embrace life changing talent hunt initiative

NBA Africa, in partnership with Rise, an international philanthropic outfit, has launched a global championship tagged, ‘Rise challenge,’ to select extraordinarily skillful youths from age 15 to 17 for free mentorship programmes and career development.

Rise, which is the anchor programme of a $1 billion philanthropic commitment by Eric and Wendy Schmidt to find and support global talents across the world, said the Rise Challenge is open to youths across the world, including Nigeria.

It advised applicants to apply for the challenge, which will see 500 finalists and 100 global winners selected to receive access to lifetime benefits, like scholarships, mentorship in sports and other careers, opportunities for career development, funding for ventures, leadership development, higher education scholarship, funding benefits from partners of Rise initiative and other public benefits.
 
NBA Africa and Rise stated said the global initiative to find exceptionally talented young people, who need opportunity and support throughout their lives as they work to serve mankind, is a vibrant platform to rekindle the hope of young Africans across the world that they can succeed in their careers.

It urged youths across Africa and the world to apply for the Rise Challenge through(https://bit.ly/3GFvQee). According to NBA Africa CEO, Victor Williams, “applicants, who apply through NBA Africa’s campaign, will be invited to a virtual session featuring an NBA player or legend. The applicants, who become Rise Finalists as a part of this initiative, will receive NBA merchandise and have the opportunity to participate in custom NBA programming.

“We are excited to partner with Rise as part of our commitment to providing more opportunities for young people in Africa and around the world to learn and grow. We look forward to helping Rise identify and develop the next generation of leaders who will drive transformative change across the continent and globally.”

Also speaking on the programme, Rise Executive Director, Wanjiru Kamau- Rutenberg, said: “With aligned missions to seek out, cultivate and enrich talent, Rise is proud to team up with the NBA to find and support a network of extraordinary people from diverse backgrounds worldwide, who have the potential to serve others together for life.

“By leveraging the power of the basketball community to excite and engage, we hope we are able to inspire even more youth to rise to the Rise Challenge.”