Category: Sports

Flowerbud News

Basketball Clinic : Participants commend organiser

By Oluwaseyi Ogunwomoju-Oduneye

Some participants at the just concluded Akeem Atilola Foundation Basketball Clinic on Saturday have commended the organiser for successfully hosting the event.

The participants in separate interviews said that they learnt so much in the two- day clinic.

Olamide Olatunde, 10-year-old, said it was a very great and interesting experience.

Olatunde said he learnt passing and teamwork with my mates.

” I have been to several other camps and clinics. I attend camps/clinics in order to learn and achieve things in basketball,” he said.

Marvelous Okem, 15-year old said she learnt rebounding, boxing out, and faking.

Okem said it was an entertaining and educating experience.

” I attend camps so as to keep learning and improving in basketball, ” she said.

Abasilim Ekene, 17-year old said the clinic was fun.

“I learnt how to box out, how to pitch your rebound and how to play opponents with good defence.

“This is my first camp or clinic, and I’m impressed. I will definitely attend other camps or clinics,” he said.

Destiny Sunday, 16- year old, said the experience was fun packed while learning.

“I learnt what we’ve not been able to learn over time. I was taught how to give a good pass, shoveling, and good defense.

“Camps are a place you learn and not just about basketball. We learnt personal hygiene, truthfulness, respect, and humility,” he said.

Akeem Atilola, the organiser and a former Oyo State basketball player, aimed to train and encourage young basketballers in the state.

The two-day clinic had 60 participants, including 20 girls and 40 boys.

Atilola, a Kentucky State University graduate, plans to make the clinic an annual event, providing hope and encouragement to young aspiring basketballers.

He seeks to equip them with the necessary knowledge and basic kits to thrive in their basketball journey.

AGWF elite camp for talent identification, scouting says former D’Tigers forward.

Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju

Al-Farouq Aminu, the founder of the Aminu Good Work Foundation (AGWF), has stated that the annual AGWF elite camp is aimed at talent identification and scouting.

The three-day camp, which is holding at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, will end on June 23.

Aminu, a former D’Tigers forward and 2015 AfroBasket Champion, said, “Having played in the NBA for 11 years, I recognise the importance of helping others achieve their basketball dreams.

“My journey was made possible by people who supported me, and now it’s my turn to give back.”

He added, “The camp is designed to identify talents that can be nurtured to stardom.

“This is the eighth edition, and I’m impressed with the improvements I’ve seen over the years. The coaching crew is intentional about teaching and impacting knowledge on the participants, and they keep improving every year.”

Aminu noted that some past participants have gone on to play basketball at various levels worldwide, including Adenike Olawuyi, who attended the camp in 2019 and now plays for the D’Tigress and NKA Universitas Pecs in Hungary.

He said, “Our aim is to help every single kid improve in basketball. We want all participants to be leaders and better people. We have scouts here identifying talents to nurture into stardom and make a name for themselves in basketball.”

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the first day of the camp featured 41 girls, U-19 from Oyo state, showcasing their skills and talents.

By Biola Lawal

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria’s table tennis pacesetter, Mr. Aruna Quadri, on winning the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Cup title.

Mr. Quadri achieved a resounding victory in the final match of the 2024 ITTF Africa Cup in Rwanda, reclaiming his title and sealing his place as Africa’s table tennis champion.

President Tinubu commends the table tennis star for his dogged pursuit of excellence even in the face of gnawing obstacles, declaring that the zeal for distinction, the hardiness to succeed, and the inventiveness to solve complex problems are the exceptional qualities that define Nigerians.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, (Media & Publicity), disclosed in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

The President also notes the recent progress in the nation’s sports sector, with remarkable performances in the African Games, the Africa Cup of Nations, and the World Relay Championships, and emphasizes that his administration will continue to foster the growth and development of sports in the country.

The President reassures Nigerians that his administration remains dedicated to expanding the space of opportunities across diverse fields for Nigeria’s creative youths. (Flowerbudnews)

By Flowerbudnews
The Management of Rangers International Football Club (FC), Enugu, has unveiled Ebere Amaraizu as Chairman of the club’s Foundation.

The General Manager of Rangers International FC, Amobi Ezeaku, announced this on Monday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu during the official presentation of cup to Rangers Team A in the just-concluded Rangers International FC Intra-football competition.

Ezeaku said that setting up of Rangers International FC Foundation is part of the fulfillment and realization of strategic plans of the management to uplift Rangers International FC as a holistic international brand.

“Ebere Amaraizu as a great football administrator will help to reposition Rangers through the foundation and make it play social services and community impact roles.

“This will enable Rangers to function in line with the international best practices as obtainable with other foreign clubs,” he said.

It would be recalled that Amaraizu is a pillar of sports in Enugu state with vast experiences in community impact programmes.

Amaraizu is also the Chairman of Enugu State Taekwondo Association.

Invest in sports talent search, football coach urges Nigerians

By Tunde Ajayi

The Convener of Femben PreToPro Football Camp Naija 2024, Coach Femi Olatunji, has urged well meaning Nigerians to invest in the discovery of sports talents for children and youths.

Speaking with the newsmen at the Femben football camp on Saturday, Olatunji, said that the talent investment initiative of Femben would help children with good football potential but could not afford sports academy fees.

He noted that the sports investment could be financial support or a player promotion contract.

He added that both financial and contact investments would attract reasonable returns within a short time frame.

Coach Femi Olatunji said that the second edition of Femben PreToPro Football Camp Naija recorded large turnout and improvement over the first edition.

He attributed the success of the talented discovery programme to cooperation of players and support received from parents.

“So far, the players have exhibited a willingness to take advantage of every opportunity that will make them a football star in the near future.

“The participants have been equipped with the necessary skills that will make them excel in their respective football academies and clubs.

“We are looking for the next edition in August, we are expecting more new participants and current trainees that may want to attend the refresher programme, “he said.

One of the participants, Azeez Ishola, said that participating in Femben PreToPro Football Camp for the second time gave him opportunities to learn new skills.

Ishola added that the programme also gave him a privilege to relate with ex-professional footballers like Mutiu Adepoju and others.

Also Kunle Oseni, said that the football camp has brought opportunities to be trained and mentored by coaches with internationally recognised licenses and experience.

On his part, Monjolaoluwa Aare, said that the football camp period was impactful and embedded with lectures on dedication, determination and discipline.

He said that the camp programme offered participants opportunity to train with other players from other academies and clubs under the supervision of professionals.