Jordan Nwora Elite Basketball Camp Ends in Lagos

•As campers, organisers celebrate growth, talent development

By Joe Apu

Jordan Nwora Elite Basketball Camp Ends in Lagos as Campers, Organisers Celebrate Growth and Talent Development

LAGOS – The sixth edition of the Jordan Nwora Elite Basketball Camp concluded on Saturday at the Warriors Basketball Court in Ilupeju, Lagos, with participants and organisers celebrating another successful outing marked by record participation and impressive talent discovery.

Several campers expressed satisfaction with the impact of the programme on their development both on and off the court.

Emmanuel Jacob, a player with the Warriors Academy in Ilupeju, said the camp had further enhanced his understanding of teamwork and communication.

“This is my second time attending the camp. The first one was very challenging, but this year has been wonderful. I learnt that team cohesion matters a great deal, even if it is just a word of encouragement to a teammate,” Jacob said.

Hauwa Adamu, who travelled from Borno State to participate in the camp, also praised the programme for helping her improve as a player.

“I have learnt a lot and become a better team player. My skills have improved greatly and I want to thank all the coaches for their support and guidance,” she said.

Speaking on the sidelines of the camp, veteran coach Alex Nwora described the sixth edition as a significant improvement on previous editions, citing record-breaking participation and the emergence of more young talents.

“Season 6 of the Jordan Nwora Basketball Camp has been a worthy improvement from the previous editions. The talent this year is way better than what we had in the past. Every year it excites me to see these kids getting better because they continue working with their local coaches after the camp,” Nwora said.

He noted that the camp, which also held in Liberia and Ghana, was designed to help athletes between the ages of 14 and 16 develop a solid understanding of basketball fundamentals while exposing coaches to modern training methods.

“It is about teaching the basics of the game and helping coaches learn new techniques. We are giving young players the opportunity to compete at a high level and gain the exposure they need to showcase their talent,” he explained.

Nwora expressed delight at the turnout, revealing that organisers had prepared kits for nearly 150 participants but were still overwhelmed by the large number of attendees.

“The turnout has been amazing. We kitted almost 150 kids, but because of the high turnout, it was not enough. The number of coaches that attended was also beyond what we initially planned,” he said.

The former national team coach urged parents to encourage their children to participate in sports, stressing that basketball helps young people develop discipline, communication skills and positive values.

“In the current economic situation, sports can keep young people away from bad influences and give them something productive to focus on. It helps build character, discipline and hope for the future,” Nwora added.

Drawing from his own journey in basketball, Nwora encouraged participants to dream big, noting that the sport offers opportunities beyond becoming a professional player.

“The sky is the limit. I started just like many of these kids. Today, I coach at the college level, and my son plays in the NBA. Basketball can open many doors. You do not have to become a professional player to benefit from the game; it can help you build structure, discipline and valuable life skills,” he concluded.

This version is written in a standard newspaper style with a strong lead, balanced quotes, and a clear focus on the camp’s impact and achievements.