As more Nigerians continue to fashion out the way forward for the growth of the game in Nigeria, former Nigerian basketball international, Samuel Oguche has expressed amazement at the immense talents still available in the country.
Speaking at the end of Day 1 of the Samuel Oguche basketball camp sponsored by Bullet Energy drink, the former Dodan Warriors of Lagos player said the sport gave him the opportunity to be where he is today, hence, the need to give back to kids out there.
“While I was young, I never had the opportunity and now I feel it is good we invest in grassroots basketball so that the future of basketball can be brightened in Nigeria.
Samuel Oguche basketball camp sponsored by Bullet Energy drink,
Reacting to the issue of age limit as a yard stick for the camp currently taking place in Abuja with over 300 young people in attendance, he said “We want to invest our time in kids we can help to junior colleges and prep schools in the United states, because if we get them out at that tender age, their prospects will be a lot better and that is why we are having age limit to the camp this year.
He thanked United Kingdom based company for keeping to their word after speaking to them on the need to give back to Nigerian kids which happens to be their largest market in Africa.
Samuel Oguche basketball camp sponsored by Bullet Energy drink,
He ruled out the monetary motivation as the primary reason for the annual camp because mere seeing these kids getting the opportunity go to schools either in Nigeria or outside the country gives him so much happiness which has translated to the fulfilment of a lifelong dream.
He thanked the Nigeria Basketball federation for their support and enthusiasm after he informed them about the programme and he hopes for more support in the near future as the camp expands.
Like is done all over the world at the mid point of the basketball season, the DSTV Premier Basketball League will welcome it’s annual Allstar game on Friday 22, May 2015 at the home of Nigerian Basketball, the national stadium, Surulere, Lagos amongst pomp and pageantry with Celebrities, past and present basketball stars, and fans and lovers of basketball.
All eyes will be on former national team captain and Boston University, Hall of famer, Tunji Awojobi who will lead Lagos Islanders team mates Jason Ebie, Ben Uzoh and the Dodan Warriors duo of Benenoir import Romaric Quenum and Ameh Ejeh in the Atlantic Conference All star team as they battle their Savannah Conference counterparts lead by Abubakar Usman in the 2015 DStv Premier Basketball League All Star Game.
Supporting the Atlantic conference starting 5 are Emmanuel Dayo (Oluyole Warriors), Emmanuel Balogun (Customs), Malik Tella (Police Baton), Solomon Ajegbeyi (Union Bank), Umar Garba (Dodan Warriors) and Mojuba Oyeleye (Oluyole Warriors). Who will be coached by the duo of Lagos Islanders head coach Lateef Erinfolami and Oluyole Warriors Taye Sobogun while Mr Deji Jaiyeola and Agboola Pinheiro were selected as Team manager and Coordinator respectively.
Police Baton vs Union Bank At The 2015 Nigeria DStv Premier Basketball League
The Savannah conference All stars on the other hand will be lead by 2014 All star most valuable player Abubakar Usman(Kano Pillars) teammate Matthew Onmenya and the Mark Mentors trio of Stanley Gumut ,Abdul Yahaya and Victor ‘KOKO’ Anthony. with Azuoma Dike ( Mark Mentors), Femi Emmanuel (Plateau Peaks), Eli Abraham (Gombe Bulls), Menasseh Achi (Gombe Bulls) and the Kano Pillars trio of Ibrahim Yusuf, Abdulwahab Yahaya and Dele Ademola also making the All Star team.
The team would lead by Mark Mentors Head coach, Peter Ahmedu assisted by Gombe Bulls Mohammed Abdulrahman while Mr. Garba Lawal and Ajibarede Bello will act as Team manager and coordinator respectively.
3point Challenge, Slam Dunk Contest make a return….
The All Star weekend is never complete without the Slam Dunk contest and the 3 points shootout challenge. And surely we will be treated to the spectacle of dunks from the best of the best DSTV Premier basketball league high flyers . Expected to compete for the best dunker in the league are Yahaya Abdul ( Mark Mentors), William Ndoumbe ( Lagos Islanders), Menasseh Achi (Gombe Bulls), Dele Ademola (Kano Pillars), Mojuba Oyeleye (Oluyole Warriors) and Usman Musa (Mark Mentors).
Bassey Obeten in jersey No 7 of Nigeria Customs trying to dribble Kwara Falcons players during the 2015 Nigeria DStv Premier Basketball League held at the Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium, Surulere. Nigeria Customs won by 54-50 points.
As we also look forward to the fight for the bragging rights as the best long range shooter in Nigeria, the finest 3 pointer shooters in the league come face to face. Topping the list is 2013, 3 points shooting contest champion former Kada Star shooting guard Timothy Kwaor ( Mark Mentors), Azuoma Dike ( Mark Mentors), Abdulwahab Yakubu (Kano Pillars), Stanley Gumut (Mark Mentors) Dayo Emmanuel (Oluyole Warriors) and Sola Alayande (Lagos Islanders). Others are rookie Stanley Eze (Union Bank), Emmanuel Balogun (Customs) and Jason Ebie (Lagos Islanders).
The veterans and celebrities in the house will also not be left out as they slug it out in the Dstv Premier Basketball League skills challenge. There will also be an exhibition game between Day Waterman College and Avicenna schools as the curtain raiser while the host of the event will be multi award winning entertainer and part owner of Lagos Islanders, Sound Sultan alongside Jimmie of Beat fm.
Kelvin Dandinson in jersey No 5 of Police Baton trying to dribble Emeka Ajaegbu in jersey No 5 of Union Bank during the 2015 Nigeria DStv Premier Basketball League held at the Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium, Surulere. Union Bank won by 68-52 points.Bassey Obeten in jersey No 7 of Nigeria Customs trying to dribble Kwara Falcons players during the 2015 Nigeria DStv Premier Basketball League held at the Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium, Surulere. Nigeria Customs won by 54-50 points.Lanre Alimi in jersey No 5 of Kwara Falcons going for a dunk against Nigeria Customs during the 2015 Nigeria DStv Premier Basketball League held at the Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium, Surulere. Nigeria Customs won by 54-50 points.Police Baton vs Union Bank At The 2015 Nigeria DStv Premier Basketball League
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