Abuja Basketball Academies Unveiled to Discover Grassroots Talent, Transform Youths

By Joel Ajayi

Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, played host to a gathering of local and international basketball stakeholders as the Amateur Basketball Academies (ABA) was officially launched in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with a bold mission to discover young talents, empower youths, and position Nigeria prominently on the global basketball stage.

Speaking during the inaugural press conference on Friday in Abuja, which also featured the unveiling of trophies and medals for the upcoming competition, Founder and Convener of ABA Basketball Academies, Prof. D.C.L. Aliyu, described the initiative as more than just an organisation, calling it a movement aimed at transforming lives and communities through sports.

According to him, the academy was established to harness the vast but untapped basketball talents found in streets, schools, and community courts, where many young people possess passion and potential but lack the structure, exposure, and opportunities needed to excel.

Aliyu revealed that no fewer than 20 academies will participate in the maiden Abuja Amateur Basketball Tournament scheduled for July. The competition will feature boys’ and girls’ teams from academies across the FCT.

He explained that the tournament is designed to revive community basketball while providing young players with a platform to develop their talents and gain visibility.

“Today marks the beginning of a journey that will transform lives, reshape communities, and elevate young talents to the global stage,” he said.

“There is enormous basketball talent in our communities, but many young athletes lack the structure, exposure, and opportunities required to reach their full potential.”

He noted that the organisation would focus on talent discovery, nurturing, and development through structured grassroots programmes and regional academies.

“We are building a pathway from raw potential to refined excellence while preparing young athletes for international basketball opportunities,” he added.

Beyond sports, Aliyu stressed that the initiative would also promote discipline, leadership, teamwork, and character development among young athletes.

“We are not only raising basketball players but also responsible citizens, role models, and future leaders of society,” he said.

The programme is set to begin with a pilot edition in the FCT, with plans already in motion to expand to other states in future editions.

Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the FCT Basketball Caretaker Committee, HRH Eze Ifeanyi Eke, emphasised the need for sustained investment and partnerships in grassroots basketball development.

Eke pledged his support for the initiative, describing it as a strategic platform capable of revitalising basketball development at the grassroots level.

“Basketball development has been on a slow trajectory in the country, but the ABA initiative represents a well-thought-out plan for grassroots growth,” Eke said.

“This has always been our dream as stakeholders — to take children off the streets and away from drugs through basketball and education.”

He added that the programme would help nurture a new generation of youths grounded in academics, sportsmanship, discipline, and moral values.

“The initiative by Lucky Abubakar and his team is highly commendable and has our full support in the FCT and beyond,” he stated.

Eke further noted that coaches and academies remain central to player development and the long-term growth of basketball in Nigeria.

“Grassroots basketball development requires collective commitment from stakeholders, academies, coaches, and the private sector. We must continue supporting coaches and young players because they are laying the foundation for the future of Nigerian basketball,” he said.

A major highlight of the launch was the unveiling of trophies for winners in both the male and female categories of the tournament.

The event attracted basketball stakeholders, academy owners, coaches, and sports enthusiasts united by a shared commitment to advancing grassroots sports development in Nigeria.

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