Sports
THE Generation Next Basketball Showcase championship will commence Saturday, September 17, across four courts in Lagos state with Ilupeju court hosting the opening game.
The Showcase phase which will last for six weeks will see teams divided into groups to play at basketball courts in Ilupeju, Ajegunle, Oworonshoki, and Ikorodu.
It is coming just days after the completion of the Olumide Oyedeji Basketball Camp where over 400 kids were in attendance.
The program put together by the Olumide Oyedeji Youth Foundation will feature over 300 kids below the age of 17 years from basketball academies within Lagos State.
Speaking at the press conference which had the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Oluwatoyin Gafar in attendance, the founder of OOYF, Olumide Oyedeji said
“Games will be played on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for the next six weeks. Teams will be grouped according to their zones for ease of access,” Oyedeji said. “Sixty players from over 300 players who participated in the first phase will be selected into a draft pool. The selected players will undergo workouts, physical tests, and play games before getting drafted into teams.”
Speaking on the vision behind the initiative, Oyedeji said: “We wanted to provide a platform and opportunities for these kids to get ready for the next level, have a taste of professionalism, and get them ready for High Schools and Colleges. Six outstanding players (off and on the court) at the competition lasting 16 weeks will be awarded scholarships to high schools and colleges depending on their age.”
-The Nation
KN
Tags: Generation Next Basketball Showcase Olumide Oyedeji Oluwatoyin Gafar
