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By JOE APU
The Freedom Reign Basketball Summer Camp, now in its 7th year, came to successful end Saturday, drawing over 60 enthusiastic young athletes from across the country. Founded in 2008 by Coach Tochukwu Nsofor the camp has grown into a major grassroots basketball development hub, nurturing talents
from as young as seven years old.
Speaking with Saturday Sun Sports, Nsofor speaks on how he started.
“I realized people were only focusing on the older kids—under-18s and seniors,” said Coach Nsofor. “But I believe real basketball development starts from the grassroots and that the little kids.”
The camp, held annually, focuses not only on athletic skills but also on instilling life values such as discipline, perseverance, and teamwork.
For many of the participants, Freedom Reign Basketball Summer Camp is more than just a sports camp—it’s a family. Boluwatife Anjorin, 16, described it as “love and family,” noting that the camp helped her gain confidence both on and off the court. “I’ve met some of my closest friends here, and I can’t wait to come back next year,” she said.
Another camper, 17-year-old Chibueze Anemuchibwe, highlighted the importance of fundamentals like footwork and finishing techniques. Inspired by his older brother, Ekene, who is set to attend Ohio State University on a basketball scholarship, Chibueze dreams of taking his talent overseas. “Basketball is my pathway,” he said.
Deborah Okonkwo, also a five-year participant, echoed the sentiment. “Freedom Reign Basketball Summer Camp is about more than skills. It prepares us for the future, both on and off the court,” she said. She plans to pursue basketball professionally.
For 17-year-old Abdurrahman Ibrahim, Freedom Reign has transformed his life. Starting with no prior experience, he has now represented Nigeria in international competitions, including a tournament in Spain last year.
“I used to sleep late, go to parties. But now, I sleep by 9:00 pm and wake up by 4:00 am to train,” he shared. “Basketball taught me discipline, and it’s even helped my academics. I recall that I almost gave up on the game but the trip to Spain changed everything.”
Coach Emeka Marvin Nwanwese, assistant coach of the academy, praised the growth of the programme. “This year, we had between 60 to 65 kids,” he said. “The energy was massive, the kids showed great improvement, and the colours and team spirit were vibrant.”
Coach Emeka, who joined Freedom Reign five years ago, said he was initially drawn to the program because of his passion for working with young children. “Coach Tochukwu saw something in me and encouraged me. It’s been a beautiful ride,” he added.
With new social media platforms launched this year, including Instagram and Facebook pages, the academy is set for broader reach and impact. The coaches which also include Chris Nomigo and Coach Olisenedozi Hope Ndudi hope for even bigger attendance next year and are actively seeking sponsorship to expand the program.
“We’ve trained over 200 kids over the last five years – many are abroad, some are playing professionally in Europe,” said Coach Nsofor. “We’re just getting started,” he concluded.
