Over 300 kids under the age of seventeen in Lagos state will feature in the Generation Next Basketball Showcase championship slated to dunk off Saturday, 17 September across four courts in Lagos state with Ilupeju court hosting the opening game.
The founder of the Olumide Oyedeji Youth Foundation, OOYF, Mr. Olumide Oyedeji who launched the championship, stated during a press conference held in Lagos that the competition which will span for six weeks will see teams divided into groups to play at basketball courts in Ilupeju, Ajegunle, Oworonshoki, and Ikorodu.
This competition, according to him, is holding days after the completion of the Olumide Oyedeji Basketball Camp where over 400 kids were in attendance was borne to provide a platform for young ones to prepare them for the future ahead.
“We wanted to provide a platform and opportunities for these kids to get ready for the next level, have a taste of professionalism, get them ready for High Schools and Colleges. Six outstanding players (off and on the court) at the competition lasting 16 weeks will be awarded scholarships to high schools and colleges depending on their age.
“Games will be played on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for the next six weeks. Teams will be grouped according to their zones for ease of access”. He said.
Following the conclusion of the Showcase mode, he said there will be a FINAL 4-WEEKEND and ALL STARS GAME alongside other activities before the Classic phase will commence with six franchises formed after a combined draft system.
“60 players from over 300 players who participated in the first phase will be selected into a draft pool. The selected players will undergo workouts, physical tests, and play games before getting drafted into teams.” Oyedeji added.
The Lagos State Sports Commission DG, Oluwatoyin Gafar lauded the latest initiative. He said it is in line with the THEMES (Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism, as well as Security and Governance) agenda of Lagos State under His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.