File: Ajayi Elebire Elite Basketball Camp
The fifth edition of the Ajayi Elebire Elite Basketball Camp has selected 40 players from 120 hopefuls who participated in a screening exercise at the Ilupeju basketball court in Lagos on Monday.
The selected players will travel to Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, for the three-day camp, which will run from October 21 to 23, with 10 players expected to receive scholarships at the end of the programme.
The founder of the camp and former international basketball player, Olalekan Ajayi, said the screening was aimed at identifying the most promising talents ahead of the training programme.
He expressed hope that some of the 40 players would earn scholarships after the camp, which will feature local and foreign coaches.
The annual initiative, established in honour of his late father, Babatunde Elebire Ajayi, was previously held in Lagos before being moved to Ekiti last year to support basketball development in his home state.
Ajayi said the camp went beyond identifying talented players, stressing that it was also designed to instil discipline, dignity, responsibility and good citizenship in participants.
“We are an elite organisation where we teach them about life and being good people. Who you are as a person is more important to us. Basketball will take care of itself on the court,” he said.
He added that participation was free, with the organisers providing accommodation, meals, transportation, basketball equipment and footwear for the players.
Former national team coach, Scott Nnaji, commended the initiative, saying grassroots development remained essential to the growth of basketball in Nigeria.
He said working with the players alongside other coaches during the camp would help improve their skills and overall development.
Also speaking at the screening, scout Scott Adubato said he had seen several talented players working hard to impress, while praising the organisers for creating opportunities for young basketballers.
“This is a good one coming from Lekan, giving the kids opportunity with the basketball camp and I am happy to be here and contribute my quota to the development of basketball in Nigeria,” he said.
The players and coaches are scheduled to arrive in Ado-Ekiti on October 20, ahead of the training programme, which will conclude with an All-Stars game on October 23. Participants are expected to depart on October 24.