ABA Deepens Grassroots Basketball: Makurdi Clinic Equips Coaches, Supports Academies

By Eyere Ekuta

For a day in Makurdi, the spotlight shifted from the court to the people who shape the future of the game. 

Coaches, administrators, basketball stakeholders and media practitioners gathered at the Royal Choice Hotel, GRA, Makurdi, as the Amateur Basketball Academies (ABA) continued its nationwide grassroots development campaign with another successful Coaches Development Clinic.

Held under the theme "Teamwork," the clinic followed successful editions in Abuja and Minna, Niger State, bringing together coaches from eight basketball academies across Benue State. The programme focused on modern coaching methods, player management, athlete welfare, tactical development and the growing role of technology in coaching, while reinforcing collaboration as the foundation for sustainable basketball development.

Among the dignitaries present were Assistant Commissioner of Police (Rtd.) Hagiya Mariam, a respected sports enthusiast, one of the finest national star player in her time and supporter of youth development; veteran basketball player John Apir; representatives of the Benue State Sports Council; officials of the Benue State Basketball Association; coaches and other stakeholders committed to advancing basketball in the state.

Addressing participants, ABA President and Founder, Deputy Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abubakar Lucky Aliyu, challenged coaches to embrace continuous education, noting that modern basketball demands professionals who are prepared to compete with their counterparts anywhere in the world.

While acknowledging Nigeria's abundance of basketball talent. He urged everyone to place the future of young athletes above personal interests and work collectively to reposition basketball as a platform for talent discovery, youth empowerment, economic opportunities and national development.

He explained that ABA's nationwide coaching and officiating programmes are intentionally designed to unite the basketball community through academies while building a stronger pathway for coaches, players, referees and administrators. 

According to him, the ongoing clinics will culminate in a major ABA National Championship in Abuja later this year, providing structured competition and further opportunities for development.

"ABA is ready to revive and develop basketball in Nigeria through our ongoing nationwide enlightenment and coaching clinics aimed at strengthening grassroots participation in the sport," Aliyu said.

One of the major issues discussed during the clinic was the increasing movement of athletes between academies without proper documentation, a trend that often creates ownership disputes and interrupts player development. To address this, the ABA President encouraged academies to formalise their operations through registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) while maintaining accurate records of their athletes.

Backing his words with action, DC Aliyu donated ₦400,000 through the Secretary of the Benue State Basketball Association, Mr. Tes Cephas, to facilitate the CAC registration of the eight participating academies and strengthen their affiliation with the Benue State Sports Commission. 

Participants described the intervention as a practical step towards creating a more organised, transparent and sustainable grassroots basketball structure.

The clinic featured presentations from some of Nigeria's most respected basketball instructors, each offering practical insights into the demands of modern coaching.

Coach Adeka Daudu reminded participants that passion alone is no longer enough to succeed in today's game. He encouraged coaches to pursue professional certification, stressing that effective coaching requires technical competence, athlete management, communication skills and a commitment to lifelong learning. 

To reinforce the lessons, he conducted an assessment session, rewarding top-performing participants with prizes.

For Coach Emmanuel Odah, one of Nigeria's most accomplished athlete turned coach and a proud Benue indigene, with the clinic's theme ‘Teamwork’ he remained central throughout his session. Drawing from years of experience as both a player and coach, he urged participants to become ambassadors of unity, emphasizing that basketball can only thrive when coaches, administrators and stakeholders work together rather than in isolation.

Popularly known as the Digital Coach, Coach Oyekan Oyedeji challenged participants to embrace technology as an indispensable coaching tool. 

From artificial intelligence and digital learning platforms to performance analysis, athlete monitoring and proper documentation, he encouraged coaches to dedicate time each day to expanding their knowledge, reminding them that the game is evolving rapidly and those willing to learn will always stay ahead.

International coach Alex Ujoh focused on communication and basketball terminology, urging coaches to broaden their technical vocabulary and become familiar with globally accepted concepts and expressions. He explained that understanding the language of basketball is essential for coaches who aspire to work at higher levels and communicate effectively with players and officials across different environments.

Participants described the clinic as a timely intervention capable of transforming basketball development in Benue State.

Among them was Lilian Achimba of Vaatiav College, a former national basketball player who has transitioned into coaching. She expressed excitement over the knowledge gained during the programme and called for greater unity among coaches, describing collaboration as one of the strongest foundations for developing young athletes. She also pledged to apply the lessons in her academy while continuing her own professional growth.

At the close of the programme, all participants received accredited ABA Certificates of Participation, marking another milestone in the organisation's effort to raise coaching standards across Nigeria.

Before Makurdi, the ABA delegation stopped by Otukpo, where members of the Board attended an Inter-School Sports Festival and Summer Basketball Camp organised by Coach Peter Ahmedu's AS Foundation Raising Champions.

In support of the initiative, Coach Adeka Daudu, on behalf of the Amateur Basketball Academies, presented 10 standard basketballs to the foundation to support training and competition. 

The delegation also encouraged the young athletes to remain committed to the game and commended the organisers for creating an environment where children can learn, compete and develop.

The ABA team further encouraged the newly trained referees, beneficiaries of the recently concluded Dream Alive Referees and Technical Officials Clinic, who were already putting their newly acquired skills into practice during activities at the camp. 

With successful development programmes now delivered the Amateur Basketball Academies is steadily building a nationwide network of qualified coaches, referees, academies and administrators. Through education, mentorship and structured development, ABA continues to lay the foundation for a stronger basketball ecosystem and a brighter future for the next generation of Nigerian basketball.