By Aduku Aruwa
No fewer than 50 kids in Kogi State are expected to participate in the maiden edition of the Michael Sumaila Audu’s Basketball and Educational Excellence Foundation (MSA BEE Foundation), Basketball Clinic, which gets underway in Lokoja this week.
The three-day basketball clinic organised by the founder of MSA BEE Foundation , Michael Sumaila Audu, is scheduled for 13th-15th February,2025 and expected to attract boys and girls from age six to 16 years.
According to the programme of events made available to The Graphic Sports by Coach Rizama Sheneni, the clinic is being organised to develop, promote and inculcate the sport into the children at an early stage.
The clinic holding at the Federal University Basketball court, Adankolo, Lokoja is the founder’s own means of giving back to the society.
The Ofu born basketballer and philanthropist, Audu who is currently based in Watford, United Kingdom, was oa former player of Delta Force Baketball Club in 2014 before later moving to Confluence Waves Basketball Club in 2015.
This week’s tournament is being organised in partnership with Coaches of the Confluence City Academy, Lokoja where Audu once served as a coach.
According to organizers, the initiative is also designed to provide educational opportunities and support for the kids through sports.
The maiden edition which is in two phases is meant to “catch them young,” while enhancing the development of the game in the country
The second phase which is also an instructional clinic has been scheduled for later in the year around August. It is designed to build on the successes achieved in the first round while at the same time inculcating skills and knowledge of the game in the children.
In addition , the instructional clinic will feature training in the basics, rules, and fundamentals of the game such as free throws, 3 pointer, dribbling, shooting, playing defense and other basketball skills.
The clinic is expected to hold 3:00pm on Thursday and Friday while Saturday session will hold twice in the morning (8:00 am to 12noo ) and evening (3:00pm to 6:00pm)