Lucky Aliyu Abubakar, the President and Founder of the Amateur Basketball Academies, is spearheading a fresh initiative to breathe new life into grassroots basketball across Nigeria. His vision centers on implementing structured youth development programs designed not only to unearth new talent but to decisively address the pervasive issue of age falsification that has long hindered the sport’s reputation.
During a recent coaching clinic held in Makurdi, Abubakar highlighted that the primary motivation behind the academy is to dismantle the barriers separating raw grassroots potential from elite performance. He revealed that a pilot scheme is already underway in Abuja, involving twenty amateur teams, and serves as a blueprint for a broader, nationwide rollout. Reflecting on the region’s rich sporting history, he lauded Benue as a true home for the game, calling on local stakeholders to unite and reclaim the state’s historical standing as a powerhouse for developing basketball stars.
To ensure this revival takes root, the academy is committed to more than just training. Abubakar outlined plans to support the physical upgrading of basketball courts while actively fostering deeper parental engagement in local sports. By prioritizing the rigorous training of more coaches, the organization aims to create a robust network capable of identifying and nurturing young athletes within their own communities.
Veteran coach Emmanuel Odah offered a sobering perspective on the current state of affairs, noting that the decline in local basketball is a direct result of a collapsed developmental system. He emphasized that true progress relies on consistent, long-term investment in coaching and youth programs rather than merely celebrating fleeting, isolated victories.
Odah further sounded an alarm on the culture of age cheating, warning that the practice continues to destroy promising careers and cripples the integrity of the game in Nigeria. To counter this, he announced upcoming efforts to organize a major nationwide basketball championship, with the final stages set to be hosted in Abuja.
The sentiment among local professionals remains optimistic. Tse Cephas Tarbee, representing the Benue Basketball Association, joined participant and coach Ngodoo Lilian Ule in praising the two-day clinic. With eight different basketball academies in attendance, they believe the gathering has paved the way for stronger cooperation among trainers and will ultimately unlock significant new opportunities for young players across Benue State.
