afrosport foreword
We are absolutely stoked to have former NBA professional basketball player Joakim Noah provide the foreword for AFROSPORT - The Book.
Joakim's personal story touches on many of the themes AFROSPORT speaks to.
His grandfather Zacharie Noah from Cameroon played professional football in France in the 1960’s.
His father Yannic Noah won the French Open in 1983 and became the last Frenchman and first and last African man to win the French Open.
Joakim himself played professional basketball until 2010. Since 2010 he’s been an investor and backer of the Basketball Africa League which is building a global basketball industry in Africa.
His family represents three generations of global African professional sportspeople across three different sports. He has a unique experience and perspective.
The world is becoming more African. It's happening in many ways, but all driven by three things: the growth of the population on the continent (by 2030, 25% of the world’s population will be African), Africa’s connection to the world via the internet, and the growth of the African diaspora.
As the world becomes more African, global sport is becoming more African. Add to this Africa's "youth quake" which takes the continents median age to 19, which is 21 years younger than Europe. And it's not only about sport: Global sport culture intersects with entertainment, fashion, music, film, and politics.
AFROSPORT shines a fresh light on Africa's history and future global influence through the intersecting lenses of sport, photography, design, and culture.
Thanks Joakim for helping us tell this incredibly exciting story.
Limited first edition of 2,000 hand numbered copies. Order yours now.
Ships January 2024.