Sports
Nigeria’s Potentials In Basketball Excites Ex-Star
A former professional
basketball player, Tamika Raymond has in Abuja said Nigeria has the potential to be among the world’s leading countries in the basketball sport.
Raymond said this at the opening of a four-day basketball clinic organised by Open Mic Forum, a sports and entertainment consultant, in collaboration with the United States Embassy, Abuja.
The former Connecticut Sun player said the basketball game would however thrive in Nigeria only if adequate facilities and other necessities were provided to teach the young ones the sport’s rudiments.
“Building nice infrastructure and having nice indoor courts, as well as getting adequate funding, will go a long way in changing the face of the game in Nigeria,’’ Raymond who played in the Women National Basketball Association (WNBA) said.
The former Tamika Williams, who married a former basketballer, Ben Raymond, said the clinic’s aim was to impart the game’s rudiments on Nigerian kids.
“Nigerian kids are in their hundreds in the U.S playing basketball. Nigerians and Senegalese have the highest representation in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and WNBA.
“But Nigeria has the brightest kids I have ever coached. They are naturally athletic and talented. They are also well built for the game.
“But sometimes the fundamentals are lacking. They can jump, run and catch, but they don’t have the form to shoot and defend.
“These are the things we have come to teach these kids,’’ the former player said.
Detlef Schrempf, one of the instructors and the first German in the NBA, also told newsmen that the enthusiasm of Nigerian youths to embrace the sport was encouraging.
“I am excited to be here. We have some young talents here, but we can’t create a perfect player in few days. We want to create a basis for them to learn some fundamentals of basketball.
“This is not about playing professional basketball. This is about learning some stuff about sports, working together and learning how things work as a team.
“We are not here to make NBA basketball players. Obviously, I was fortunate enough to get to that point, but that is not what this camp is about.
“It’s about sharing knowledge, bringing guys together, communicating and building relationships,’’ Schrempf said.
Mohammed Suleiman, Co-ordinator of Open Mic Forum, said they were more concerned about getting the kids to avoid roaming the streets so that they can be useful in life.
Suleiman said their main target was to use sports and entertainment to reach out to the kids who do not know how to talk into the microphone.
“We are committed to creating speakers and talents out of people. We are also improving the talents in people.
“As simple as it looks, a lot of people tend to stammer when speaking through the microphone.
“But when you pick up young kids, you find them sharp and bold on the microphone. They can express themselves.
“We are developing people who are definitely the leaders of tomorrow. They have to take charge of that leadership from now.
“If you know how to talk to people, you will lead people if you don’t know how to talk to people, you will be in the background,’’ he said.
About 300 students from 15 schools in the FCT are participating in the four-day programme.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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