The 3rd edition of the AdaMark Foundation For Girls No Barriers Basketball Camp for Girls holding at the outdoor courts of the Abuja National Stadium, Parkage B, ended Friday after a week-long camping for 100 girls drawn from the FCT.
Since Monday this week, the campers between 8 and 18 years have been enjoying good basketball tutelage as well as off the pitch teachings on how to achieve their goals as girls in the future. Noteable coaches like Adeka Daudu, Emma Odah and a host of others including DSTV Basketball League Most Valuable Player, Abdul Yahaya have been on ground mentoring the girls on the ideals and rudiments of the game.
President and founder of the AdaMark Foundation for Girls, Mrs AdaMark Ogbole describes this year’s edition as huge success noting that it is the biggest so far since the foundation started the camping three years ago. “I must say that this year’s edition has been very successful, fun filled and biggest so far. We have achieved and even surpassed our estimation. The intention was not too much about learning basketball but teaching the girls how to achieve their set goals in life. The girls have had all the fun while learning basketball and being educated as girls.”
On eventually settling for 100 girls instead of the initial 150 planned, she said it was done to enhance cohesiveness, dynamism and togetherness since the essence was to successfully impact knowledge into the girls and a manageable number would help ensure that. ” We eventually settled for 100 girls for the purpose of cohesion, dynamism and togetherness. One interesting aspect of this year’s edition was the involvement of the minis category who are between the ages of 6 and 8 years. Coming around with their older siblings they also developed interest to participate and their perseverance ensured we accommodated them and their participation have been encouraging. Parents too who kept coming around to see their kids were not left out of the fun. I am so encouraged that with more funding we can camp them for a month.” She said.
Aghaeze twin sisters, Precious and Peace who are first time campers reveal they have learnt a lot bot off and on the pitch.
The eldest, Precious said their older sister brought them in and what they have learnt is encouraging. ” I am a first time camper and got involved through our older sister. The camp have been interesting. We are taught both basketball and encouraged to be better persons in future. I intend to combine both basketball and my academics.” Said the 14 years old SS2 Glisten International Academy Abuja student.
For Peace, also an SS2 student of Glisten International Academy Abuja, the experience will help her to be a better person as the knowledge gotten about goal setting and making good decisions will help her become what she wants to be in the future.” My academics comes first but l am happy with the experience and knowledge gotten in the camp since lessons we were taught about relationships, how to keep good friendships, encourage our friends as well as goal setting and making good decisions about the future will help me.”
Adeka Daudu, an experienced female coach and one of the coaches said the camp will be instrumental and useful in the upbringing and future of the girls. “They are obviously better kids now because the camp has helped to shape them both in and outside the courts.” The national U-17 women basketball team coach said
