NGR - Olumide Oyedeji camp opens in Lagos

LAGOS  (Youth camp) - The annual Olumide Oyedeji Basketball Camp began at the National Stadium, Lagos on Monday and will run through September 5th. The camp which is holding in the ninth year already had nearly 200 kids participating on the opening day. More were expected to join as the event progresses.

“We already have about 200 kids on ground but as usual more will still turn up by tomorrow. Even on final day you still have people showing up to register. But notwithstanding, we have concluded plans to yet make the programme very successful. We have been talking with everyone needed to make things work and the results have been on the positive side,” Oyedeji said.

The camp in Lagos is for children between the ages of 7 and 18years. Regular camp runner from Holland coach Rob Meurs is to coordinate the camp with two other coaches from the United States of America. They are working with former Nigerian national coach Ganiyu Oteinigbagbe and other Nigerians who have specialised with youth clinics over the years.

A second phase of the programme is planned to begin in Osogbo, Osun State in Sout west of the country after the Lagos leg. The Osogbo event will be bigger than the Lagos gathering with several schools participating in the camp will incorporate a lot of academic talks.

“I have gone round to other parts of the country to run clinics but with this one, I want to be nearer home. My basketball camp served as a spring board for others to follow and I want to use the Osogbo event to set the pace again. I want to touch the youths positively in education and life after school. It’s a complete youth forum that will incorporate basketball,” Oyedeji said.

The programme in Osogbo is being done in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education. From the raw statistics, about 2,000 students are expected to participate with their ages ranging from about 10 to 18 years. The annual Oyedeji programme has held in different places across the country including Ibadan and Abuja. An elaborate programme is being drawn up for the 10th anniversary next year.

By Pius Ayinor
FIBA Africa