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Organisers of the PACE Coaches Clinic have announced plans to train hundreds of basketball coaches as the fourth edition of the programme returns to Enugu and Lagos later this month.
The free coaching clinic, organised by the Smart Sport Foundation in partnership with Home Court Africa, will hold in Enugu on July 28 and 29 before moving to Lagos on August 1 and 2.
This year’s edition is expected to accommodate up to 300 coaches in each camp and will include an Elite 20 Camp for promising young basketball players as part of efforts to strengthen talent development across Nigeria.
The programme will focus on modern coaching methods, athlete development, child safeguarding, leadership, communication and global best practices, with practical sessions designed to improve coaching capacity at the grassroots level.
Speaking on the objectives of the initiative, founder of Smart Sport Foundation, Ikenna Smart, said the clinic goes beyond technical training to developing future leaders through sports.
“The PACE Clinic exists to close the skill and basketball IQ gap by equipping players and coaches with the knowledge, tools, and environment to succeed. We believe basketball is more than a game; it’s a vehicle for creating opportunities, developing leaders, and changing lives,” he said.
Smart added that sustained success in sports requires commitment from both coaches and athletes.
“Success doesn’t happen by chance. We ask our athletes and coaches to commit to the work, and our job is to provide them with the formula, resources, and guidance to reach their full potential.”
President of SWA Sports, Aisha Shuaibu, said the partnership with Smart Sport Foundation reflects a shared commitment to grassroots basketball development through Home Court Africa.
According to her, Home Court Africa was established to provide local expertise for the implementation of basketball projects that create lasting impact across African communities.
“Our mission is to be the trusted on-the-ground partner for athletes, organisations, and brands seeking to create meaningful, lasting legacy projects through the transformative power of basketball. We believe sustainable impact begins with strong local expertise, strategic execution, and a shared commitment to grassroots development,” Shuaibu said.
The organisers said the programme will continue to focus on expanding participation, improving athlete development and strengthening community engagement through basketball.
They encouraged coaches, schools, clubs and sports stakeholders to take advantage of the free training programme as preparations gather momentum for the 2026 edition.
