The NBA today announced the 10 boys and 10 girls who will represent the African continent in the second Jr. NBA Global Championship, a youth basketball tournament for the top 13- and 14-year-old boys and girls teams from around the world that will be held Aug. 6-11 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at […]
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and YouTube today announced the launch of the NBA’s first YouTube channel dedicated to fans in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to featuring two live games per week in primetime for the rest of the 2018-19 season, including the Playoffs, Conference Finals and The Finals, the NBA Africa YouTube channel will […]
The list of groundbreaking feats of the new Nigeria Football Federation administration climbed on Wednesday as NFF President Amaju Pinnick glowed at the 55th Annual General Conference of the Nigeria Bar Association in Abuja.
Presenting a paper on “Providing Legal Support for the Talent–Based Industry: Special Focus on Sports,” Pinnick regaled the body of learned men and women with facts and details of the largest contracts every signed in sports, and admonished the legal luminaries to start thinking hard about getting involved in the money –spangled sports industry.
“A lot needs to be done in changing the mindset of lawyers in Nigeria towards the enormous responsibilities and benefits that abound in sports world and indeed the talent –based industries.
“All sports federations need the services of lawyers in almost all that they do to forestall unnecessary conflicts, and when conflicts arise, the best means towards resolution of such conflicts.
“I will urge the NBA to first of all, immediately create a section on sports, entertainment and leisure, like you have for other areas of law. We should take more than passing interest in football (nay, sports) beyond supporting a particular club or sports, to actually attending events and sports law programs as it may relate to specific sports.”
Reeling out a list of the 113 largest sports contracts in the world, Pinnick regretted that not a single Nigerian lawyer was involved in drafting any of those contracts.
Delving briefly into conflict resolution mechanisms of the NFF, FIFA and the IOC, and the role of the Court of Arbitration for Sports, Pinnick added, to sustained applause by the erudite jurists inside the auditorium of the International Conference Centre: “The scope of sports indeed is one that creates ample opportunity for lawyers to thrive in the area of representation of sportsmen and women. It should be noted that because of the peculiarity and specificity of sports especially football, conflicts arising out of football do not go to regular courts, but resort to arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution mechanism or machineries established by the sports institution.”
When a professional is at helm of affairs in any field it must show in the way he handles things. This is how to describe the activities of Director General National Sports Commission Al Hassan Yakmut. As early as 7:30 Wednesday morning the DG Mallam Yakmut was already at that National Stadium in Lagos to watch the Milo Top 50 Basketball Camp in session at National Institute of Sports. He commended the organizers and appreciated the quality of the program by the NBA coaches.
“It is a very good program targeted at the growth and development of basketball in the country. The players here are the ones expected to make it to the National teams”. The DG Yakmut advised the players to ensure they give their correct ages.
“You should not lie about your age. Make sure you apply those life values you were taught in camp – discipline, honesty, responsibility and team work”. The National Sports Commission said it is prepared to make its facilities available for such sports programs.
Mallam Yakmut later went to the Indoor Sports Hall to watch the female volleyball team preparing for the All Africa Games.
Nestle the proud sponsor of the Milo Basketball Championship for Secondary Schools remains committed to the development of the game of basketball in Nigeria. The Milo Top 50 Camp in Lagos facilitates the chances of the talents discovered from various conferences across the country to further develop their skills through world class coaching.
As usual the facilitator, United States Of America based Masai Ujiri alongside five other NBA coaches are working with 18 Nigerian coaches at the Top 50 Camp in Lagos to ensure the players get quality training.
The Top 50 Camp which is a Nestle Milo project for the Nigerian Youth is targeted at exposing the enormous potential of our youth and the abundant basketball talents in the country. Masai Ujiri sees the Nestle Milo Top 50 Camp Program as the only organized one in the country which is result oriented for the growth of the game of basketball. “Apart from teaching them the basics and fundamentals in basketball, they are taught other life values. Our Milo Top 50 Camp is planned, here we talk of timing, how to interact with others. It is not all the players that make it to the NBA but they can play in other leagues across the globe’’ Ujiri said.
One of the coaches Jama Mahlaela of Toronto Raptors who is working with Masai Ujiri described some of the kids as bundle of talents noting that what they need at this stage is proper guidance, grooming and close monitoring. “At this level you can mould them into the exact role you want them to play. I am satisfied with their performance, they are future stars”.
The Brand Manager Nestle Milo, Bola Audu says the brand will continue to instill the values of hard work, fair play, discipline and team. “Nestle’s reward as regards the basketball project is the smiles on faces of these players. We regard the Top 50 Camp as the icing on the cake where the players are exposed to quality training under the supervision of world class coaches”. The Milo Top 50 Camp gives the children the opportunity to interact one on one with the coaches handling specific areas. These includes individual defense, footwork, dribbling, shooting and passing.
Masai Ujiri and Giants of Africa (GOA) announced today they will be holding camps in four countries across Africa this summer for the first time. Celebrating its 12th year of supporting the growth of basketball in Africa, Giants of Africa will be expanding its camps from Nigeria and Kenya to include Ghana and Rwanda this summer. Camps will be held in Nigeria from August 3-5, Ghana from August 7-9, Kenya from August 10-12 and Rwanda from August 13-15.
Giants of Africa camps bring together top coaches from across the country to help run the sessions and are designed to help young basketball players develop athletically, achieve life goals and become better players. In addition to on-court basketball skills development, Giants of Africa strives to help foster participants via life skills support and local community outreach initiatives.
“Running the Giants of Africa camps every year has become very important to us,” said Ujiri.
“ We have to give back and encourage the youth. While we all want to do well in our daily jobs, we must never forget what got us here. Using basketball to educate and develop African youth is just the beginning of what needs to be accomplished. Coaching the coaches and building infrastructure is key for the growth of the game on the continent. These kids are motivated, aspire to learn and continue to work hard. It is a responsibility for us to inspire them to keep aiming high by providing them opportunities to grow.”
Since the Giants of Africa camps began more than 100 camp attendees have moved on to high school or university in the United States, with around 20 now playing professionally in Europe.
Modeled after the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders outreach program, Giants of Africa holds two types of annual camps – Top 50 Camp and Big Man Camp. Its approach is to use the game of basketball as a means to teach and nurture important life skills.
The Top 50 Camp focuses on the top 50 kids from across the country and provides campers with three intense days of instruction.
The Big Man Camp teaches young athletes at six-foot-eight and above the basic fundamentals of the game with a focus on running, catching, footwork and shooting.
The goal for both camps is to begin to develop each of these athletes’ skills at a young, developmental age.
This approach provides an opportunity for ongoing improvement as each child continues to develop, learn and grow.
This summer’s camps are made possible through the support of partners from across the globe with special thanks to the NBA, Nike, Nestlé Milo, Ecobank, MLSE Foundation and Sportscorp Travel
For 17 years, the Nestle Milo Basketball Championship has remained the Nation’s flagship grassroot competition which gives the Nigerian Youth the opportunity to showcase their Basketball skills. This year’s edition took it to even greater heights. The standard of play was highly commendable with debutants from Kogi almost stealing the show but for the good finishing from the Kaduna boys. The National Sports Commission’s Director of Grassroots Sports, who took the ceremonial ‘Jump Ball’, was full of praises for the Sponsors Nestle Milo.
“With such competition like the Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball, our National teams and clubs have been getting constant supply and resource for the tired players. I am very happy with the organisation of the championship- from the state preliminaries to the Conference playoffs and the National final”.
Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed, president of the National School Sports Federation, commended Nestle Milo for hosting another hitch free championship. National School Sports Federation is one of the stakeholders, and technical partners to the tournament
“If other Corporate Organisations can do what Nestle Milo is doing in Basketball for other sports, the sky will be the nation’s limit. This is where the National Sports Commission should come in. Nestle has identified the talents, going further to groom and expose them in Top 50 Camp”.
For the Nestle officials present at this year’s final, it was all smiles in satisfaction for a job well executed. Femi Akintola, Nestle’s Category Manager (Beverages), said they are pleased with improved standard of play. “You notice that there is no dominance any longer, you have new champions, upsets at group stages which shows that Nestle’s gospel of Basketball is spreading”
Akintola further said that the outstanding players will be invited for the top 50 camp by Nestle next month in Lagos. The camp will be conducted by top NBA coaches to be led by Masai Ujiri of The Toronto Raptors. A selection of players from the tournament will eventually represent Nigeria at an international tournament to be decided by the NSSF.
As the qualifiers for the National final at the indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos continue the struggle to show case their basketball skills, the picture is getting very clearer in the girls category.
Niger State flag bearers Government Girls Secondary School Bida are set to play in the semi final of the Championship. The team beat kano State representatives Government Girls Secondary School Jogana 24-10, the team had earlier defeated Government Secondary School Numan Adamawa 26-16 to get the free ride to play in the semi finals.
Bayelsa State team, St Judes Girls Secondary School Amarsta, also got a place in the semi finals with its 29-28 victory over Yejide Girls Grammar School Ibadan, Oyo State. However, Bayelsa and Edo will lock horns to know the final placing before the semi final match.
Coach Tony Nelson of Bayelsa State says his team cannot afford to make any mistakes. “We met in the Atlantic Conference final and my girls made so many errors that led to our defeat. This time around we will show them we have corrected those mistakes”. Team Captain of Bayelsa girls Faith Jeremiah is optimistic. “The National final is not the Conference Final. We know them too well, my team mates are very fit. It will be decided on the court”.
Although Yejide Girls Grammar School Ibadan, Oyo State is no more in contention for the top position. However, the team will continue to honour his matches for classification.
photo credit Afolabi Oni Guarantor
The 2014 Atlantic Conference Champions St. Augustine Seminary Ezzanugbo Ebonyi State failed to contain the fireworks in the group B first match in the boys category against Ilupeju Grammar School, Lagos State.
The Ebonyi boys started very well in the first and second quarters but could not manage their success in the last two quarters of the encounter which ended 32-25. Inspite of the pep talk and constant piloting by Rev. Fr. Donatus Ofuluozor the Ebonyi boys could not stop the rampaging Ilupeju Grammar School Lagos State.
“My boys lost grip in the 3rd quarter. So many fouls were against them and their shooting was also suspect. We have put that match behind us”. Rev. Fr. Ofuluozor said.
Coach Yinka Oyeyemi of Ilupeju Grammar School whose boys put in an extra effort in the fourth quarter was pleased with the result. “It is good to start well, the champions from various Conferences are here in Lagos to pick the trophy. We have to be cautious, take our chances and make sure we finish well”.
In another encounter in group A St. Peter’s Idah Kogi State defeated Government Secondary School Barnawa, Kaduna State 45-43. Coach Riznma Sheneni of Kogi State believes the encounter was a very tough one.
“The margin was too close. It could have gone either way but my team was lucky and i did a lot from the bench”.
In the girls cadre, Niger State flag bearer Government Secondary School Bida defeated Government Secondary School Numan Adamawa State 26-16.
The 3 month secondary schools basketball season is winding down with the national finals of the Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship which began, Tuesday, at the Indoor Sports hall of the National Stadium in Lagos.
Niger State representatives in the girls’ category, Government Girls Secondary School Bida, Niger State overpowered Government Girls Secondary School Numan, Adamawa State. It was a balanced game until the last quarter when the Niger state girls broke away to take the game at 26 points to 16.
In the second game in the girls’ category, Idia College, Benin-City Edo State came from behind in the last quarter to beat the Western Conference champions, Yejide Grammar School of Ibadan, Oyo State by 19-17.
Speaking after the match, Philip Ojo Head Coach of Idia College said that their style of play gave them the edge over their opponents.
According to him, “our very fast style of play makes us almost invincible to our opponents. We have a strong team. Hard work is also key to our success. So far, we are confident of achieving our aim, which is to emerge winners at the end of the championship.”
Meanwhile, Yejide girls forward Busayo Matthew said, her side lost to Edo because they could not cope with fast pace but boasted that they will surely bounce back from the defeat because it was an eye-opener.
In the boys category, St. Peter College Idah, Kogi State picked a valuable 45-43 points victory over Government Secondary School Barnawa, Kaduna State while Ilupeju Grammar School defeated St.Josephs College Nyimah, Benue state by 32-25 points
The Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship, now in its 17th year, will climax with the Finals which will begin tomorrow, Monday and end on Saturday, June 6. Over 10,000 schools from across the country took part in the preliminaries which will now culminate in the finals at the indoor sports complex of the National Stadium, Lagos.
The schools that will feature in the finals of the boys category include, Government Secondary School Barnawa, Kaduna state, Augustine Seminary School Ezzamgbo, Ebonyi State, Saint Peter College Idah, Kogi State and Ilupeju Grammar School, Lagos State.
General Murtala College Yola, Adamawa State and St Joseph College Makurdi Benue State qualified as best losers from the Conference play offs.
In the Girls category are Yejide Grammar School Ibadan Oyo State, Government Secondary School Bida, Niger State, Idia College Benin Edo State and Government Girls Secondary school Yola Adamawa State.
St Jude College Amarata Balyesa State and Government Secondary School Jogana Kano State also made the finals as best losers from the Conference play offs.
This year, outstanding players selected from all the participating schools would form an all-star team that would represent Nigeria at the world college basketball championship and other international competition to be decided by Nigeria Schools Sport Federation (NSSF). The best 50 players will also be invited to camp in August and will receive tutelage from a team of NBA coaches led by Masai Ujiri of the Toronto Raptors.
Nestle PLC’s Category Manager, Beverages, Femi Akintola told reporters in Lagos that there will be lots of excitement for the players and spectators at this year’s finals where top class musician, Olamide and the Explicit Dance Group will perform live at intervals.
The 2015 edition also promises exciting innovations like online activation and more engagement with the kids on social media platforms. Already prizes are being won in stores across the country in the Slam To Win Promo as the brand tries to spread the ‘basketball fever’ to all consumers.
Two schools from Benue State won the 2014 Championships. Jesus College, Otukpo were the Boys Champions while Government Secondary School, Gboko won in the Girls category Femi Akintola says Nestle Milo tries to communicate, to the students, the great values of sport as a teacher through Determination, Discipline, Honesty, and Confidence.
According to him, “sports is a great teacher and children’s participation in sports helps set the foundation for a solid future. They learn determination to succeed, discipline to persevere and many more life values by participating in sport. We will continue to provide them this platform”
The Basketball Without Borders/ Nigeria Basketball Federation Under16 Prospect Camp moved its search for the best talents that will represent Nigeria at the 12th Basketball Without Borders Africa annual camp in Johannesburg, South Africa come July 29th to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State over the weekend.
National Div-1 league club side T Joba Talents in partnership with the Akwa Ibom State Basketball Association played host to the 2 day(May 29-30th) event that took place at the New Federal University of Uyo Campus. With over 60 kids under the ages of 16 coming out to display their basketball talent and skills with a chance to tutored Top NBA coaches and Players and perhaps earning college scholarship which ultimately is the dream of every basketball player who wants to go professional.
The Scouting programme which is designed to catch the budding talents in the South-South/South-East region also for the National Under 16 programme had coaches Mike Akuboh and Emmauel Odah who work with the Basketball Without Borders programme and the Masai Ujuri’s Top 50 Camp coordinate the exercise alongside NBBF Technical Commissioner from Rivers State, Mr Harry Wilson and Coach Shekinah David of T-Joba Talents all whom expressed joy by the level of talent the kids put in display.
Star attraction, 17 years Old Christian Wisdom was named most valuable player of the All Star Game at the camp and surely one to watch out for in the near future. As echoed by all Director of Sports, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Aniedi Dickson who was special guest at the Prospect Camp All Star Game commended the Nigeria Basketball Federation and the Akwa Ibom Basketball Association for beaming the search light of talent discovery and improvement of the sports in the region from the grassroots.
Mr Dickson further pledged maximum support for Division one side TJoba Talents, in their quest to gain promotion into the DStv Premier Basketball league next season having failed to qualify this season.
Following the successful NBBF/BWB Camp in Akwa Ibom and earlier in the year in Abuja, plans are underway to set camp in another part of the country to give ample opportunity to as many kids as possible to exhibit there talent and stand a chance of being selected not just for the Basketball Without Borders Africa Programme but also for the National U-16 team.
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