Ace Hunt
GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Indiana State junior Justin Gant has been invited to travel to the Ivory Coast as part of an Athletes In Action Foreign Basketball Tour this summer by the global organization.
"I am extremely honored to be given this opportunity to not only play basketball with and against some great players during this tour, but to also share my Christian faith with those in the Ivory Coast," Gant commented. "I'm looking forward to growing as a person by delivering aid to those in Africa and by sharing my faith with those we come in contact with. This will also be a great chance to continue to improve on the basketball court just before we start our workouts at Indiana State in the fall."
The Athletes In Action Basketball Tour to which Gant has been invited begins on July 27 with a five-day training camp at the group's world headquarters in Dayton, Ohio. On August 1 the group will fly to Abijan, which is the Ivory Coast's biggest city (population of four million) where they will spend the balance of the tour which concludes on August 10.
The roster for the Athletes In Action Basketball Tour will be filled with NCAA Division I student-athletes as well as current professional players who support the ultimate purpose of the trip which is to grow spiritually and play the game of basketball.
The team will play a four-game schedule against senior-level competition and seasoned professionals in Africa. Additionally the group will conduct unique basketball camps and coaches clinics and extend humanitarian aid which includes distributing a large supply of shoes and basketball equipment across the nation. The group will be representing not only Athletes In Action but also the United States of America and USA Basketball.
The highlight game of the foreign tour will be playing against Cote d'Ivoire which finished fourth in the African qualifying tournament for the 2012 Olympics and has remained in the Top 6 of Africa for the last six years. Cote d'Ivoire will host the African Championships that will be held beginning 10 days after Athletes In Action completes this tour. The African Championships is a continent-wide tournament which will identify the teams that will participate in the 2014 World Championships.
The on-the-court goal of the Athletes In Action will be to help the African teams prepare for those championships by being worthy competition which will sharpen their skills for this important tournament in late August.
Since 1966, AIA has committed to sharing a Victory beyond Competition that is found only in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Athletes and coaches around the world who are experiencing this life-changing relationship are telling the story of Jesus – to their teammates and fellow coaches, to hurting and needy people through their words and acts of compassion and kindness, and to the millions of people through the media. Over 650 staff members and 7,500 volunteers in 94 countries boldly proclaim Jesus Christ, deeply equip believers to lead and urgently mobilize ambassadors of Good News and Good Will in the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
