By Ikenna Nwokedi
Sports enthusiasts in Anambra state and beyond have eulogized Jordan Nwora Foundation for sustaining the tempo of the novel Elite Basketball Camp initiative and holding the fourth edition of the camp in Awka, the administrative capital of Anambra State.
The Jordan Nwora Foundation Elite Basketball Camp for Boys and Girls which is its fourth edition was held at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka from Friday, 21st to Sunday, 23rd June, 2024 with over 100 student-athletes featuring in the sporting program aimed at enhancing their playing skills for the game of basketball.
In his remarks during his visit to the camp on Saturday, the Chief of Staff to the State Government, Chief Ernest Ezeajughi commended Jordan Nwora Foundation for instituting the programme aimed at empowering the youths of the state through sports which is in line with the philosophy of Gov. Soludo’s administration of “One Youth Two Skills”.
Chief Ezeajughi disclosed that the elite camp program offers the teeming youths of the state a platform to enhance their skills for the game of Basketball as well as adopt the most current trends in line with Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA) ethos. He commended the Jordan Nwora Foundation for the Elite Basketball Camp which is a way of giving back to the system through human capital development albeit Basketball under the umbrella of sports.
The Chief of Staff assured the foundation that the present administration will enhance its support for the noble initiative by not just providing the facilities but also creating other avenues in ensuring that the legacies of the project is enhanced for the betterment of Anambra youths who are the leaders of the future.
On his part, the President of the Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA) Africa Zone 3, Col. Sam Ahmedu (Rtd) described the elite basketball camp as a brainchild of the Jordan Nwora Foundation aimed at inculcating into the youths the fundamentals of the game and to sustain the culture of playing the game well which the foundation have done in the past four years.
Ahmedu, a member of Nigeria Basketball Federation and FIBA Executive Committee and Central Board disclosed that the Elite Basketball camp which is in its fourth edition is holding in Awka and the aim is to get the youths across the state from all the Local Government Areas to be involved while also revealing that 60 boys and 40 girls are part of the program.
In his reaction, Hon. Patrick Estate Onyedum, Chairman of the Anambra State Sports Development Commission (ASSDC) eulogized Jordan Nwora for giving back to the society through the foundation. The Anambra Sports boss commended the Nwora family for their consideration in bringing the camp to Awka as a way to reach out to other youths in the state who are talented and nursing the dream of being professional sports icon by playing the game of basketball.
The ASSDC Chair promised that in subsequent editions the support for the noble project will be enhanced in the quest for empowering the youths of the state and in furtherance promoting sports growth and development in the state.
The MD of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Ossy Onuko praised Jordan Nwora Foundation for the initiative. The ACTDA MD urged other well meaning citizens of the state to borrow a leaf from the Nworas by ensuring that the youths of the state are kept busy through replica projects of this nature so as to contribute their quota towards societal growth.
Speaking also, the President of the Jordan Nwora Foundation, Hon. Tony Nwora disclosed that the Elite Basketball camp has produced more than 30 players who are now in the United States of America studying and playing professional basketball. Hon. Nwora thanked Gov. Soludo for being a youth friendly governor who constantly seek to empower Anambra youths by enhancing their competent through skill acquisition and supporting sports programs in the state.
Hon. Nwora affirmed that the camp which usually holds in Onitsha, the home base of the Nworas, was brought down to Awka because of the enthusiasm shown by Gov. Soludo concerning his interest for the youths. He further disclosed that the foundation engaged and brought in coaches from America to teach the kids skills in basketball as well as life long skills such as social skills, cleanliness and environmental health. The new TC Chairman of Onitsha North LGA urged the participants to be consistent, dedicated and committed so as to assuage their yearnings and achieve their dreams.
Former D’Tigers Coach and Father of Jordan, Coach Alex Nwora informed that the Jordan Nwora Foundation is a non-profit foundation set up by Jordan as an avenue to give back to the kids in the continent. The seasoned basketball coach and administrator revealed that this year’s camp was brought to Awka so that most of the kids can experience what camping is all about, learn more about the game of basketball and imbibe life learning skills.
He disclosed that the Elite Basketball camp is beamed to the whole world via streaming of the three-day event on the foundation’s Facebook page which offers coaches and scouts across the globe the opportunity to discover and spot amazing talents from the camping program.
Major General Shehu Yusuf (Rtd), a former General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Nigerian Army 82 Division Enugu, described the elite camp as a noble and unique program set up by the Jordan Nwora Foundation to discover talent and improve the style of play of the players by getting them to know the rudiments of the game. He admonished the players to be disciplined in both training, health and their lifestyle in order to excel in the game.
Responding, one of the student-athlete, Benedicta Oghenegbe described the camp as an exciting moment for her and most of the players as it is her first time of being in a camp and learning recent trends about the game of basketball. Oghenegbe stated that her dreams is to play at the highest level of the game, she thanked the coaches for the knowledge imparted into them while eulogizing the management of the foundation for providing such a wonderful platform for the players.
As part of the programme, awards were given to outstanding players in various categories, the Last Girl Standing award was bestowed on Akeraore Okeoghene, the Best 3 points shooter for the Girls went to Dickson Oghogho, Last Man Standing for the Boys was clinched by Ifeanyichukwu Emeka while the award for the Best 3 points shooter for the Boys went to Emeka Achusi.
The Best Slam Dunk contest prize was won by Aisosa Ajayi, the award for the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament for Girls went to Mirabel Egwuatu while that of the Boys category was claimed by Ifeanyichukwu Emeka.
The three-day camping featured basketball open play contest among the players, All Stars contest, slam contest, three points shooting, presentation of basketballs, presentation of kits to the young participants and certificate of participation to both players, officials and critical stakeholder for the project.
