Sports

ABA Strengthens Grassroots Basketball Development with Makurdi Coaching Clinic

Published

2 months ago

July 28, 2026

Joel Ajayi

The Amateur Basketball Academies (ABA) has continued its nationwide grassroots basketball development initiative with a successful coaching clinic in Makurdi, Benue State, aimed at equipping academy coaches with modern coaching techniques and strengthening basketball development across Nigeria.

In a statement Signed by the Head, Media and Public Relations, Amateur Basketball Academies (ABA) Kayode Adeniyi said the total of 11 coaches from eight basketball academies participated in the one-day coaching clinic, themed “Team Work,” held at Royal Choice Hotel, GRA, Makurdi. The programme was the third in the series, following similar clinics in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Minna, Niger State.

The initiative is designed to promote grassroots basketball development, identify emerging talents, and equip coaches with updated rules, technical skills and tactical knowledge in line with international best practices.

Speaking during the clinic, the President and Founder of the Amateur Basketball Academies and Deputy Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Aliyu Lucky Abubakar, urged participants to continually improve their knowledge and skills to remain competitive with their counterparts around the world.

He expressed concern over the current state of basketball development in Nigeria and called on stakeholders to put aside their differences in the interest of the game.

According to him, basketball should be viewed beyond recreation, with greater emphasis placed on talent identification, youth development, revenue generation and the long-term growth of the sport.

Abubakar stressed that the ABA initiative is non-political and was established to unite all stakeholders within the basketball community through the various academies across the country.

He further revealed that the nationwide coaching clinics will culminate in a major basketball championship later this year in Abuja, where outstanding talents from participating academies will be showcased while fostering greater collaboration among grassroots basketball programmes.

“ABA is committed to reviving and developing basketball in Nigeria through our ongoing nationwide enlightenment campaign and coaching clinics, which are aimed at strengthening grassroots participation in the sport,” Abubakar said.

As part of efforts to support the growth of the academies, the ABA President donated ₦400,000 to the Secretary of the Benue State Basketball Association to facilitate the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration of the eight academies that participated in the clinic.

Facilitators at the coaching clinic, including Coach Adeka Daudu, Coach Emmanuel Odah, Coach Oyekan and Coach Alex Ujoh, encouraged participants to embrace technology in player development and coaching methodologies to keep pace with global trends.

Participants and stakeholders commended the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that would significantly enhance grassroots basketball development in Benue State. They pledged to apply the knowledge acquired during the training within their respective academies.

All 11 coaches who completed the programme received accredited ABA Certificates of Participation.

Meanwhile, members of the ABA Board visited Otukpo, Benue State, to observe the ongoing Inter-School Sports Festival and Summer Basketball Camp organised by the America-based Coach Peter Ahmedu’s AS Foundation Raising Champions.

Representing the Amateur Basketball Academies, Coach Adeka Daudu presented 10 basketballs in support of the camp, reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to nurturing young talents across the country.

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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

13 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

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