By Silvernews Sports
South-East representative on the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Chief Ugo Udezue, has commended Nigerian international basketball player, Blessing Ejiofor, for her efforts towards developing basketball at the grassroots through her giving-back programme to society.
Udezue, who is also a candidate for the NBBF vice-presidential position ahead of the federation’s October 15 election, described Ejiofor’s initiative as a positive contribution to the development of young basketball talents in the region.
According to Udezue, the efforts of Ejiofor and other spirited individuals will assist in taking basketball development to the grassroots and creating opportunities for young people to discover and develop their talents.
He said the programme at the Ebonyi Mall basketball facility demonstrates the importance of having functional facilities across the region, adding that such infrastructure would help take the game to the right people who need to understand, learn and play basketball.
Udezue also highlighted the recent investment in basketball infrastructure in the South-East, including the Hon. Richard Idike Basketball Court in Abakaliki, which was built by him as part of his regional basketball development initiative.
He said the availability of such facilities across the region would provide young basketball enthusiasts with the opportunity to access the sport and develop their skills.
The efforts of Blessing Ejiofor and other spirited individuals will assist in the development of the game at the grassroots, Udezue said.
He added that sustained collaboration among stakeholders, including former and current players, governments, private investors and basketball administrators, would further strengthen grassroots basketball development in the South-East.
Udezue maintained that with more facilities and properly structured grassroots programmes across the five South-East states, more young talents would be discovered and given the opportunity to develop into future basketball stars.
