By Vivian Ahanmisi
Akinwande Oshodi, founder and sponsor of the Elevate Basketball Clinic, has identified partnership as a major factor that had sustained the initiative, since inception.
Oshodi stated this at the third edition of the programme on Saturday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 150 young male and female athletes participated at the event.
The one-day clinic targeted players between ages 10 and 16.
According to the founder, the initiative aims to empower youths through basketball, education and life skills.
Oshodi said the organisers had introduced the tracking of participants’ statistics at this year’s edition, to measure the initiative’s progress and provide sponsors with information on its activities over the past three years.
“This year, being the third in the series, we are planning on tracking statistics, so we can leverage them to share with our sponsors.
“Sponsorship is very important to Elevate Basketball and the statistics will help us show our sponsors, what we have been doing over the last three years,” he said.
Reflecting on the initiative’s progress over the past three years, Oshodi said it was designed to teach young people valuable life lessons, including hard work and consistency, through basketball.
“It is not just about basketball; it is about life. The goal is to help the players understand what it takes to be successful,” he said.
He said his long-term ambition was to establish a foundation that would support an academy focused on basketball, athletics, enrichment and education.
Oshodi, a Lagos indigene based in the U.S. said his parents had also been supportive of the initiative, in spite of the cost of traveling from the U.S. to Nigeria.
“A flight from the U.S. here is not cheap and they have always believed in everything I do.
“Elevate Basketball is my life’s dream and my life’s work. Their support means the world to me,” he said.
He said his mother had believed in the vision since he was a young child, adding that seeing it become a reality was fulfilling.
Oshodi said his decision to invest in youth development was driven by his desire to give back to Lagos, where he was born and create opportunities for children.
He described young people as the future adding that providing them with the right support. was important to their success.
“When I was a young child, there were not these types of opportunities.
“We want to make sure these opportunities are available to the children and help them understand that people care about them, think about them and support whatever they want to accomplish,” he said.
He acknowledged the contributions of the Lagos State Basketball Association, alongside the coaches and other supporters.
“I would not have been able to accomplish this without the Lagos State Basketball Association and our partners.
“They have been instrumental in laying the groundwork and maintaining some level of consistency,” he said.
Oshodi commended the coaches, the association and everyone who had contributed to making the initiative a reality.
Bosede Ode, a Sports Nurse and mother of Oshodi, founder and sponsor of the initiative, urged young athletes to take their education seriously while pursuing sports.
Ode, also a former Lagos State Sports Council staff member, said she supported her son’s basketball passion because of her background in sports.
“Sports is an avenue to keep kids off the streets. It could help young people stay focused and develop their talents,” she said.
She however noted that education was essential for athletes, whose careers could be cut short by injuries.
“With education, just in case anything happens, you fall back on your education. And that helps you through life,” she added.
Ode also encouraged girls to pursue their sporting ambitions, while prioritising their education.
She further urged young athletes to eat balanced meals containing protein, carbohydrates and vegetables, to support muscle development, provide energy and supply essential vitamins.
She expressed hope that the Elevate Basketball Clinic would continue annually to nurture young talents.
Khadijat Muritala, a beneficiary of the initiative said the training had improved her knowledge and experience of the game.
Muritala, who started playing basketball at age 10, said the clinic had offered her an opportunity to learn and develop her skills.
She said the experience had motivated her to keep working toward her ambition of becoming a professional basketball player.
Abdulkarim Abdulrahim, a second-time participant at the clinic, said the programme had improved his ball-handling skills, discipline and teamwork.
He said seeing other participants improve, had strengthened his belief in becoming a professional basketball player.
“Last year, some were just learning. This year they are doing more and shooting three-pointers. It motivates me that I can do it,” he said.
Abdulrahim also urged young athletes to prioritise education while pursuing sports, recommending a 60-40 balance in favour of academics.
“Education is very very important. Even after training, you can still read more,” he said.
NAN further reports that the clinic organised by Elevate Basketball Academy was in partnership with the Lagos State Basketball Association. (NAN)
Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu
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