2nd August, 2017
Sam Oguche, the organiser of Sam Oguche Abuja Dunks Basketball Tournament, on Tuesday said the competition would bring out the raw talents in the grassroots.
Oguche, an ex-Nigerian basketball star, said this on Tuesday at the opening of the 2017 edition of the competition packaged for grassroots players in Abuja.
According to him, many ex-Nigerian basketball stars have fought their ways to stardom from the grassroots while many good ones were unable to get exposure.
“There is need to organise grassroots competitions from time to time so that many young talents who are yet to be discovered can showcase their talents.
“All of them can not get to the main league at once but the good ones need exposure to get better while the better ones want to be among the best.
“More competitions like this (Abuja Dunks) are good platforms for young people to get the necessary exposure to develop themselves and the nation.
“I played basketball from the grassroots to international and for the country; I see the need to do my best and make the game easier for those who are currently at the grassroots.
“ Presently, we have 14 teams registered for the tournament; more are still coming, as part of efforts to motivate the youth,” he said.
He said the best team would go home with N500,000; second, N250,000, and third, N150,000.
Oguche thanked Bullet Energy Drink-Nigeria – for supporting the competition with caps, T-Shirts and its product – Bullet energy drink.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the current edition of the annual event is slated to run from Aug. 1 to Aug. 6.
Each team in the competition registered nine players comprising seven male and two female players.
The organisers attributed the gender mix to deliberate intention to strengthen the skills of female basketball players from the grassroots.
Some coaches and players of the participating teams at the event commended Oguche for organising the tourney.
READ: Rohr, goalkeeper trainer Pionetti, hit Eagles’ Camp
Daddy Lawal, Coach of Gilali Basketball Academy, said the prize for winners in the competition was very attractive, adding that players believed that it was worth competing for.
“The teams are all trying to be the first which will make them bring out their best in the competition, even the second and third prizes are not bad,’’ he said.
Similarly, Andrew Anechebe, Coach, Titan of Karu, FCT, said “ this competition is a very nice one; it is in line with what we have been clamouring.
“There is need to bring basketball to where it actually belongs-the grassroots; this is a new dawn for basketball in Nigeria.
“ We appreciate Oguche; this competition is a privilege for the young ones to grow and learn that something can be gotten out of basketball.
“We all felicitate with Oguche for coming to the grassroots. Everybody can not be winner but participation is very important for everyone”.
Titan came second in the 2017 Milo Basketball Championship.
AbdulMalik Sholanke-Titan Basketball club player, said: “ I am very grateful to the organisers of this tournament for the opportunity given to grassroots basketballers to express themselves and showcase their talents.
“ It is also an opportunity for us to get to greater heights, having practiced for a long time to become better players.
“I urge other ex-Nigerian basketball stars to believe in Nigeria by organising events like to bring out more talents from the grassroots which will be good for the players and the nation.
“ It will also help the youth to stay out of the street and become good citizens,” he said.
Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youths and Sports, had earlier urged all Sports Federations in the country to focus on grassroots development of sports for the nation to get to its pride of place.
Musa Kida, new President of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), had also expressed readiness to ensure grassroots development of basketball in the country.