Basketball
Grinders Basketball Foundation Empowers Over 50 Student-Athletes in Abuja’s “Back to School” Program
Joel Ajay
The Grinders Basketball Foundation successfully empowered over 50 student-athletes through its “Back to School” program, held over the weekend in Abuja.
This event marked the 7th edition of the initiative, which provided recipients from primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions with cash donations, exercise books, school bags, and other educational materials.
During the event, the Chairman of the Foundation, Umar Abdullahi, represented by the Provost, Aliu Omeiza, emphasized the program’s mission to bring joy to student-athletes in need. He assured attendees that the Grinders Foundation is committed to expanding its efforts in the upcoming 8th edition.
“The foundation is made up of basketball veterans dedicated to putting smiles on the faces of athletes in primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions who may require assistance, whether it be for school fees or academic materials such as books and school bags. This is something we have been doing for the past seven years, and we will continue to do so. We are promising a better and bigger event next year,” Omeiza stated.
Regarding the selection criteria for recipients, Alhassan Joseph Enbago, the Public Relations Officer of the Grinders Foundation, explained the foundation’s approach.
“The criteria for selection of the recipients involve referrals from individuals who know an athlete in need of assistance. Some recipients are selected by us directly. We conduct follow-ups to ensure that the resources provided are utilized effectively. Beyond what you see here today, we continue to assist them from time to time,” Enbago noted.
The recipients expressed their gratitude to the Foundation for its generous support.
Basketball
Fresh Ideas, Science Needed to Revitalise Basketball —ABA
Cyril Ogar
President/Founder, Amateur Basketball Academies, ABA, Aliyu Lucky Abubakar has called for a scientific and pragmatic approach to rediscovering the game of basketball in the North East.
The former player of many teams in Nigeria stated this on Saturday during training of coaches in Yola, Adamawa State.
Aliyu said the training is aimed to arm Coaches so they can, in turn, reach the children, especially those that ABA may not. The Deputy Comptroller in Nigeria Customs Service decried non-challant attitudes of the stakeholders in the development of basketball in the North East.
” Basketball is fading in the North East, and we at ABA will not allow it to die.”
“Adamawa was once a force in the game of basketball but had fallen behind. Our plan is to discover talent through coaching training, nurture it, and carry it from state level to the national team, and eventually, the global stage.” The basketball administrator said.
In his keynote message to the participants, which centered on the theme, “HOPE,” Harnessing opportunity, Organising for excellence, Promoting players’ development, and Empowering the next generation, Aliyu said, is far more than a drill instructors.
” Every child you see on a basketball court has a dream, and it is our job as a coach to spot it early and give it somewhere to go.” He concluded.
In his lecture titled, ” Who is a Coach”, Emmanuel Odah, the head Coach, FCT Basketball and former National Juniors team, described a coach as a committed, organised, affectionate, caring and humble.
” Commitment is consistency, and consistency is mother of progress; humility comes first because a coach who can not control himself can never control a game,” Odah insisted.
Other instructors at the training include ABA head of technical, Coach Adeka Daudu, as well as Coach Alexander Anyebe Ujoh, who spoke about the relationship between a coach and child in his care.
Coaches at the training commended ABA for its boldness to give hopes to basketball coaches all over the country. They promised that lessons learned would reshape and reset their mind on the job. They said the training will help them in understanding their role not only as an instructor but also grooming the children for a better future.
Among guests at the event include FCT Acting Director of Sports, Mr. Iyiola Ogundele and Bayelsa Veteran Basketball administrator, Coach Tony
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