Top-50 Big Man Camp Starts in Lagos

The basketball developmental training camp best known as ‘The Nigerian Top 50 Big Man 2006’ opened in Lagos yesterday at the National Stadium. The media briefing, which heralded the event for this year, marked the start of the programme for this season.

By the detail schedule of the youth basketball programme, the players invited to camp will commenced work out at the Sports Hall of the Lagos National Stadium today under the intensive supervision from several coaches cum instructors from both within the Nigerian domestic system and from across United States of America, Africa and Europe.

The young men with minimum height of 6-8” all entered into camp Wednesday. The players were selected carefully over the months from across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

The programme under the auspices of Radar Hoops, which is owned and managed by Nigeria’s former internationals Masai Ujiri and Godwin Owinje, is holding in the third year.

While speaking with the media Wednesday Ujiri said the programme would not deviate from the basic of setting Nigeria players in the right direction at the right age.

“We are fully committed to make Nigeria kids explore all opportunities lined up with basketball. The truth is that not all can play in the NBA nor gp to the USA but it is right to train them properly at the right age so that those who are clearly gifted can compete confidently with any player from any where in the world,” the Denver Nuggets international scout said.

The first Vice president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Dr. Adesegun Erinle, said the Federation and indeed Nigeria is blessed to have people with heart for those coming behind them.

“We are highly touched by the efforts of Masai and Owinje both for this programme and their contribution towards making upcoming players to be an all round players both in intellect and in their career as professional players".

Erinle also enthused the contribution of D'Tigers centre, Olumide Oyedeji, food drink manufacturing giant Nestle Foods Plc.

The Camp Director Col. Sam Ahmedu (rtd) assured that all materials needed for the event were readily available. The programme will run through Saturday.