Royal Backing, 25 Coaches And New Push For Grassroots Basketball In Gombe

Royal Backing, 25 Coaches And New Push For Grassroots Basketball In Gombe 

By Admin 

The Amateur Basketball Academies (ABA) has secured the support of traditional institutions in Gombe State for its grassroots basketball development initiatives following a coaching clinic organised in the state, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Deputy Chairman of the Gombe State Council of Emirs and Chiefs and North-East Coordinator of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, His Royal Highness Engineer Sale Muhammad Umar, OON, Mai Kaltungo, commended the ABA for bringing basketball academies under a unified association.

The traditional ruler spoke when he received the ABA board at his palace in Kaltungo, where he said the initiative would strengthen the monitoring of basketball academies while exposing coaches and players to modern rules, regulations and best practices.

Mai Kaltungo also called on the ABA to establish a basketball court in Kaltungo, noting the strong interest in the sport among young people in the area.

He said improved basketball infrastructure could create employment opportunities for youths and provide an alternative pathway for young people seeking opportunities beyond conventional white-collar employment.

The monarch pledged his support for the association and urged basketball stakeholders to embrace its programmes.

Responding, the ABA President and Founder, Deputy Comptroller Aliyu Lucky Abubakar, thanked the traditional ruler for receiving the delegation and supporting the use of sports as a vehicle for youth development, empowerment and nation-building.

Abubakar said the visit provided an opportunity to deepen collaboration between traditional institutions and sports development organisations working to create opportunities for young Nigerians.

He noted that basketball development extends beyond teaching technical skills, stressing that the sport can help young people develop decision-making abilities, teamwork, resilience, discipline and a commitment to excellence.

The ABA president appealed for the traditional ruler’s continued support as the association expands its grassroots basketball programmes across Gombe State, the North-East and other parts of Nigeria.

The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Kaltungo Local Government Area, Hon. Silas Bukar, where it sought support for the association’s grassroots basketball development initiatives.

Meanwhile, 25 coaches from basketball academies across Gombe State participated in the one-day coaching clinic held at CONCECON Guest House, Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe.

The clinic, themed “Triple Threats,” was designed to strengthen coaches’ knowledge and improve their capacity to develop young players.

Addressing participants, Abubakar urged coaches to continually improve their knowledge of the game, study modern basketball techniques and remain receptive to new ideas.

He emphasised that effective coaching requires dedication, patience, sacrifice and consistency, adding that young players need coaches who believe in them, encourage them, correct them and remain committed to their development.

Participants received training on the three areas of the Triple Threat, coach-coach and coach-player relationships, education and basketball, as well as training templates for coaches.

The Head Coach of the Gombe State Basketball Association, Haruna Kabiru, and other guests commended the ABA for organising the clinic. They described coaches as teachers, mentors, leaders, role models, motivators and builders of character.

The participating coaches expressed appreciation to the ABA for the training and pledged to apply the knowledge gained in their respective academies.

The clinic was also part of preparations for the maiden Amateur Basketball Academies Championship. State champions and runners-up in the male and female categories will represent their respective states at the national championship in Abuja.