Basketball: US Consulate sponsors training of young Nigerians

The United States Consulate in Nigeria, in collaboration with Organised Basketball Network (OBN), is training young Nigerians between the ages 6 and 18 on basketball.

Ms Jennifer Foltz, the US Consulate Deputy Public Affairs Officer, disclosed this during the opening ceremony of a four-day training programme, tagged: "Uplift Africa Youth Through Basketball Camp", for Boys and Girls in underserved communities in Rivers State.

Foltz said the basketball camp would provide 60 participants, aged between 6 and 18, the opportunity to learn about the sport, gender-based violence, inclusion of marginalised communities and build their communication, leadership and teamwork skills.

Foltz said that sports will impact positively on young Nigerians and eliminate gender-based violence in the country.

In his speech, Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, said the country needed skills and sports to lift up Nigeria and Africa at large.

Wike, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Ipalibo Harry, said that his administration is committed to the training of youths on skills.

"We built the Relmadril Academy in the state to train young Nigerians from all parts of the country and we believe that this will impact more positively in our young ones," he said.

Wike urged young Nigerians to pursue any dream of their choice and put more interest in sports to excel in life.

He applauded the US Consulate for supporting the Organisation in training Nigerian youths.

In his response, Mr Obinna Ekezie, Founder, Organised Basketball Network (OBN), said young Nigerians had a lot to benefit from sports, stressing that it would eliminate gender-based violence in the society.

Ekezie said that sports, as one of the skills, would help young Nigerians to do well in their education.

He urged women to put more interest in sports.

Ekezie thanked the US Consulate for supporting their Organisation in training young Nigerians.