Grassroots Basketball Development Takes Centre Stage As Basketball Camp Ends In Abeokuta
ABEOKUTA – A three-day basketball camp for girls has come to a close in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with participants and organizers calling on the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to initiate sustainable programmes aimed at developing the sport at the grassroots level.
The camp, which was part of the Ready Leaders programme, aimed to teach leadership skills to young people, with a focus on sports and digital literacy.
The grand finale of the 3 days basketball skills programme for girls which was held at the Alake Sports Centre Ijeja Abeokuta, saw the participants fully kitted with canvass, kit bag, jersery and other incentives worth millions of naira.
Former Nigerian basketball player, Onome Akinbode-James, who played at Duke University in the United States, said the 40 players drawn from seven states had demonstrated exceptional leadership skills that would aid their career progression.
Akinbode-James announced plans to develop a curriculum to help the young athletes continue to grow and develop, saying, “We are committed to ensuring that these young girls receive the support they need to succeed in basketball and beyond.”
She said the three days intense baskeball skils and mentoring programme was part of efforts to promote sports development and empower young people, particularly girls, in Nigeria.
Onome Akinbode-James, a silver medalist at FIBA Africa under -16 championship for women in Madagascar announced that plans were on to develop a curriculum that would help the young athletes to continue to grow and develop.
Also, a veteran basketball player, Chief Alabi Adelanwa described the basketball camping initiative as essential towards the development of the game at the grassroots level.
He commended the initiator for her support towards nurturing and improving the leadership skills of the girls in the country.
Some of the girls who participated in the exercise said the programme had provided them the opportunity to showcase their skills and learn valuable leadership lessons.
40 players from Ogun, Lagos, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Osun and Oyo participated in the 3 days exercise.
“This initiative is essential towards the development of basketball at the grassroots level,” said Chief Alabi Adelanwa, a veteran basketball player.
“I commend the initiator for her support towards nurturing and improving the leadership skills of these girls.”
The participants, who hailed from Ogun, Lagos, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Osun, and Oyo states, praised the programme for providing them with the opportunity to showcase their skills and learn valuable leadership lessons.
