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By Joe Apu
More than 150 aspiring basketball players turned up on Friday for the sixth edition of the Jordan Nwora Elite Basketball Camp in Lagos, surpassing the organisers’ planned intake of 100 participants.
The three-day camp, holding at the Warriors Courts in Ilupeju, attracted a large number of young talents despite organisers initially indicating that available spaces were limited to 60 boys and 40 girls.
Speaking at the opening of the camp, President of FIBA Africa Zone Three, Col. Sam Ahmedu (Rtd), said Nigeria as the last phase of the camp in Africa was chosen to host the programme because of the country’s abundance of basketball talent.
“FIBA Africa Zone Three has been partnering with the Jordan Nwora Foundation in organising camps across countries within the zone and other parts of the continent. This year, we have held camps in Liberia, Ghana and now Nigeria. We have discovered many talented players during this journey, and we are determined to do even more,” Ahmedu said.
Representing the Jordan Nwora Foundation, Coach Alex Nwora reiterated the camp’s commitment to creating opportunities for young players who may not ordinarily have access to elite basketball development programmes.
“Our goal remains to provide opportunities for young athletes and help them realise their dreams of playing basketball at the highest level,” the former Nigeria national men’s team coach stated.
The camp featured intensive training sessions aimed at improving participants’ technical skills, basketball IQ and overall understanding of the game. In addition to on-court activities, campers will benefit from mentorship and leadership development sessions designed to prepare them for success both in basketball and in life.
Ahmedu described the initiative as a vital platform for grassroots basketball development, noting that it goes beyond teaching fundamentals to instilling discipline, character and a winning mindset.
Since its inception, the Jordan Nwora Elite Basketball Camp has grown into one of West Africa’s leading youth development programmes, with previous editions held in Liberia and Ghana before arriving in Nigeria.
With experienced coaches, former players and basketball administrators on hand, the camp is expected to provide a valuable learning environment for participants while contributing to the continued growth of basketball in Nigeria.
