Nigerian basketball national team, D’Tigers’ former captain, Olumide Oyedeji has disclosed that he is part of efforts by Lagos State Basketball Association (LSBBA) to create a new hub for the sport in the country.
Oyedeji, who sports247.ng reports is also now vice-chairman of LSBBA, said the association is planning many innovative efforts and activities that will make Lagos State stand out in basketball across Nigeria.
Among the upcoming ventures, Oyedeji added, is a proposed top-class basketball competition at the grassroots, as well as a high-profile league for clubs across the state, fondly called Centre of Excellence.
He disclosed further that these are part of plans discussed during the body’s new board’s first annual general meeting, which took place at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The towering former basketball star added that Friday’s meeting also touched on certification programmes for coaches and referees, local government impact for the sport, schools outreach efforts and sourcing for corporate sponsorship across the state.
Oyedeji added: “We want to take basketball to every community, local government, environment.
“We want to take basketball to the next level, improve infrastructure and organisation and have a better league.
“To show that basketball is here to stay in Lagos and make it attractive for both national and international competitions.
“It’s about hard work and communication, branding and looking for corporate sponsorship so we just have to sell our commodity right.
“It’s going to be a Lagos State thing so when the national league starts, there will be no clash we will have to adjust our system and structure.
“We are not in competition with anyone and we just want to make Lagos State great and make sure the youths make themselves better.”
