Basketball

Kogi Basketball Fiesta: Ex-basketball International Thanks Governor Yahaya Bello.

Published

6 years ago

March 11, 2021

By Akin Bolarinwa

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has thrown his weight behind the much anticipated grassroots basketball camp due to hold in Kogi State any time from now.

Ex- basketball international Samuel Oguche has noted that, hosting a grassroots basketball camp in Kogi State is a welcomed development.

According to the basketball aficionado, the move by the sports-loving Governor to sponsor basketball camp at the grassroots will further enrich the culture of basketball and other sports in the Confluence State.

Samuel Oguche commended Governor Yahaya Bello for his foresight and initiative while also encouraging sports stakeholders in the state to support the government of the day.

“I will like to commend the Governor of Kogi State for this smart move because that is the best legacy any government can give to the youth.

Going back home and being part of history is a big thing for me. I will like to thank His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello for his continuous support to sports and youth development”.

The Kogi State Basketball Fiesta will be held in conjunction with the Sam Oguche Basketball Foundation.

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Basketball

Fresh Ideas, Science Needed to Revitalise Basketball —ABA

Published

5 days ago

September 27, 2026

The Gleamer

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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