Stakeholders in Basketball are calling for greater investment in the development of the sport at the grassroot.
They are of the view that Nigeria must create more opportunities for young people to discover and develop their talents.
The call was made in Gombe State at a Coaches Clinic organised by the Amateur Basketball Academies, with emphasis on strengthening coaching and player development.
For many young Nigerians, basketball is more than a sport.
It can be a pathway to education, discipline, employment and international opportunities.
But stakeholders say talent alone is not enough.
More courts, academies, qualified coaches and regular competitions are needed to give young players the opportunity to grow.
At the Gombe Coaches Clinic, the theme “Triple Threats” was used to highlight three qualities considered essential to effective coaching — competence, character and commitment.
The President/Founder, Amateur Basketball Academies, Aliyu Abubakar says:
“A successful coach must also possess three essential strengths: competence, character and commitment.”
For the organisers, coaches must go beyond teaching basketball skills to becoming mentors, role models and builders of character.
For Nigeria to compete more strongly in basketball, stakeholders believe development must begin from the grassroots, with greater collaboration between government, schools, private organisations and communities.
They say creating more opportunities will not only produce better basketball players, but also help young people build confidence, discipline and leadership skills.
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Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu
