NGR - Top coaches, 300 kids storm Oyedeji Camp

LAGOS (Training camp) - The 8th edition of the annual Olumide Oyedeji Basketball Camp currently on at the Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos has attracted top coaches from within and outside Nigeria.

Top among the coaches are Rob Meur from the Nederland and former Nigeria national team coach and one of the earliest indigenous coach to take his trade outside the shore of the West Africa country, Ganiu Otenigbagbe, Nigeria U19 head coach, Adeka Dauda and former assistant coach of the Nigeria senior men national team, Ayinla Johnson popularly called ‘BBJ’.

Coach Meur who has been the Chief Coordinator of the annual camp since inception eight years ago, says he is happy to be part of the camp that has turnout great players, players who have gone ahead to play in the Nigeria national team alongside the camp initiator, Oyedeji.

The Dutch highlighted such players as Ayodeji Jeleel Akindele of the Fort Worth Flyers in the America D-League and Churchill Odia of the
University of Oregon who represented Nigeria at the just concluded 24th FIBA Africa Championship for Men in Angola.

The camp highlighted such basic drills as ball handling, passing, lay-ups, individual man-man defense, shooting, rebounding (offense and
defense), pick and roll, foot work, screen away, post moves, on and off the ball defenses.

The camp, which end on Friday, is for kids within the age bracket of 7-17 in the male and female category which has about 300 kids drawn from Lagos, Ogun, oyo, Osun and Ondo States.

Oyedeji advise the kids to be more proactive and should take the issue of discipline seriously if they hope to make a good career out of the
slamming and dunking game, which has brought him fame and fortune.

By Olusegun Ikuesan
FIBA