'Help us fulfil our dreams', basketball players beg FCT Minister of state p

'Help us fulfil our dreams', basketball players beg FCT Minister of state By Our Reporter No fewer than 30 basketball players could lose the chance of getting a dream US college scholarship if the minister of state for FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijani Aliyu, does not intervene. The players, 15 male and 15 female, in April this year, won a chance to participate in the Phenom basketball championship in America. The basketball championship, over the years, has been a veritable ground for US colleges to scout for players whom they offer scholarships to play basketball and school in the US. Head coach of FCT's basketball team, Emmanuel Odeh, said FCT's youngsters were in danger of missing out of the Phenom basketball championship this year. He said: "There has been a relationship between the FCT Sports Department and the US Embassy. "We've been having this programme since 2005 and it has given birth to a lot of kids that have gone on to make Nigeria proud internationally. "We have had close to 120 successful scholarships given to FCT kids by US schools, colleges and high schools since 2005. "Two of the players who recently help Nigeria win the women AFRObasket championship were discovered through the program. "This year, the children have been in camp for five months now waiting to travel. "They have missed out on two windows to travel already, with just one more window left for early next month. "We have been waiting for approval from the ministry, it's been promising but yet to come. "The children are appealing to their mother, the Onyize of Ebira Land, Dr Ramatu Tijani to come to their rescue."