Former D'Tigers coach laments neglect of grassroots basketball as Jordan Nwora Camp ends in Lagos

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye 

The curtains may have fallen on the sixth edition of the Jordan Nwora Basketball Camp in Ilupeju, Lagos, but the event once again highlighted a troubling reality, up Nigeria continues to underutilise its vast basketball talent and potential.

That was the verdict of former D'Tigers head coach, Alex Nwora, one of the driving forces behind the prestigious camp, during an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye.

The camp, which concluded on Sunday at the Warriors Basketball Court in Ilupeju, attracted more than 200 young basketball players from different parts of the country, providing them with an opportunity to learn, develop and showcase their skills.

However, despite the impressive turnout and abundance of talent on display, Nwora believes the event exposed the failure of Nigeria's basketball authorities to properly develop the game at the grassroots level.

"For these kids, it should never be about politics. It's about what we can do to help keep them off the streets, guide them and give them the discipline they need to succeed," Nwora said.

"If any of them get the opportunity, they can use the skills they have acquired rather than wasting their talents. The lack of grassroots support remains the biggest problem in Nigerian basketball. Countries that have successfully developed the sport have strong grassroots programmes. We need to invest in our own."

The former national team coach expressed concern that despite the efforts of dedicated stakeholders to nurture young talents, institutional support has remained largely absent.

According to him, initiatives such as the Jordan Nwora Basketball Camp have received little or no backing from the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), despite repeated efforts to secure support.

For Alex Nwora and his son, Jordan, the camp is not about publicity or personal recognition. Rather, it is a platform to give back to society and create opportunities for young athletes to realise their dreams.

"It was Jordan's idea to give back to young people on the continent," Nwora explained.

"Knowing that I am a coach in the United States and that retired Colonel Sam Ahmedu is the President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, we decided to establish this foundation and ensure that we continue this programme every year. Jordan prefers to stay away from the spotlight. His goal is simply to help young people, and we are committed to ensuring that vision is achieved."

Nwora also criticised the lack of involvement from state governments, noting that many have repeatedly failed to identify with and support developmental initiatives capable of transforming the lives of young athletes.

The coach, who guided Nigeria to a historic silver medal at the 2017 Afrobasket Championship in Tunisia, reflected on the life-changing impact basketball has had on him.

"I got all my knowledge from basketball," he said.

"It's not just about playing the game. You can make a living from the knowledge and experiences you gain through basketball. There are many opportunities within the sport. What I have seen here today is very encouraging."

He continued: "We are teaching these kids proper techniques, the importance of the game and valuable life skills. This is bigger than basketball. It's about discipline, teamwork and learning how to work with others.

"Everything I learned from this game helped shape the person I am today. It's exciting to see so many young players involved. This is actually the youngest group we've ever had. They are just beginning their journey, and I hope camps like this continue to be available to them until we solve the grassroots development challenges facing basketball in Nigeria."

Nwora's influence extends beyond Nigeria's borders. The respected coach had led the Cape Verde national basketball team, further cementing his reputation as one of Africa's most accomplished basketball tacticians.

He also reserved special praise for retired Colonel Sam Ahmedu, President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, whose commitment and organisational efforts helped ensure the success of this year's camp.

"The turnout, the enthusiasm of the kids, the quality of coaching, the learning process, the concentration and the structure of the programme all stood out for me this year," Nwora said.

As another successful edition of the Jordan Nwora Basketball Camp comes to an end, its message remains clear, Nigeria is blessed with an abundance of young basketball talent. 

The challenge now lies in providing the support structures, investment and grassroots programmes necessary to transform that potential into sustained success on the continental and global stage.