It was mission accomplished as the first sets of Amateur Basketball Academies organised Referees and Technical Officials Clinic ends in Abuja. Over 25 young boys and girls received certificate of participation after the 3-day training held at the old parade ground, Area 10, Abuja.
Tutored by FIBA Referees Instructor Nuhu Samuel, the participants undergone both class and practical tutorials.This includes numbering, basic mechanics, court movement, rotation, use of whistle/ whistle timing, and violation/ fouls. Other areas touched during training are rules and interpretation, type of violations, types of fouls, and game management.
Addressing the participants, His Royal Highness Eze Ifeanyi Eke, while congratulating them for enduring the rigorous training, urged them to see themselves as the future of basketball development in Nigeria
” Let me remind you that you can continue to learn more on basketball officiating through your phone. Instead of watching or chatting only, use your phone to impact knowledge of basketball games on you. You People are the future of Nigerian basketball. I want to thank ABA for organising this clinic. This is the way to go. Igwe said.
President and founder, Amateur Basketball Academies, Deputy Comptroller, Aliyu Lucky Abubakar, who declared the training closed, described the clinic as a landmark event in the history of the Amateur Basketball Academies, ABA.
He said the completion of this pilot training programme, codenamed “Dream Alive,” marks not only the end of an intensive learning experience but also the beginning of a new chapter in the development of basketball officiating in Nigeria.
” When we assembled here a few days ago, we shared a vision—to equip young, passionate Nigerians with the technical knowledge, practical skills, and professional values required to officiate basketball at the highest standards. Today, I am proud to say that together, we have achieved that objective.”
” The Amateur Basketball Academies firmly believes that the future of basketball does not depend solely on talented players. Great competitions require competent referees, efficient table officials, dedicated statisticians, commissioners, coaches, and administrators. Every successful basketball ecosystem is built on the strength of its human resources, and today, we have invested in that future.” DC Abubakar concluded.
He promised ABA will establish a nationwide network of qualified and confident basketball officials who will serve at grassroots competitions and progressively rise to state, national, continental, and international assignments.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Terkiya Jimoh appreciated ABA for organising the clinic for them. She said knowledge acquired during the 3-day training will help them to reshape basketball officiating in Nigeria. Terkiya promised that their whistle will represent fairness while their decisions will always reflect honesty, courage, discipline, impartiality, and respect for the rules of the game.
Highlight of the occasion includes presentation of certificate to individual participants as well as honoring the special guest, HRH Eze Ifeanyi Eke.
Among the dignitaries that graced the occasion include Vice Chairman, Niger State Basketball Association, Danladi Abubakar, Ex National player, a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hajiya Mariam, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Mohammed Abba, Benjamin Hamma as well as Josiah Ahmedu, TV Producer and Presenter, The Basketball Show.
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