For the more than 150 young basketball enthusiasts that gathered at the Rowe Park Sports Complex in Yaba, Lagos, the third edition of the Elevate Basketball Clinic, a grassroots initiative designed to develop sporting talent while promoting education and life skills among children, was the beginning of a trip to the biggets level of the game.

Organised by United States-based basketball enthusiast and philanthropist Akinwande Oshodi in partnership with the Lagos State Basketball Association, the one-day clinic attracted boys and girls aged between 10 and 16 from different parts of Lagos State. Participants underwent intensive training sessions focusing on fundamental basketball techniques, teamwork, discipline and personal development.

For many of the young participants, the clinic was a valuable opportunity to improve their skills and strengthen their ambitions of pursuing careers in basketball.

Khadijat Muritala, who began playing basketball at the age of 10, said the programme enhanced her understanding of the sport and provided her with a platform to develop her abilities.

“The training has improved my knowledge and experience of the game. It has motivated me to continue working hard towards becoming a professional basketball player,” she said.

Another participant, Abdulkarim Abdulrahim, attending the clinic for the second consecutive year, noted significant improvements in his ball-handling skills, discipline and teamwork.

He said that watching other participants progress over the years has boosted his confidence and belief that he too can achieve his dream of becoming a professional player.

“Last year, some participants were just learning the basics. This year, they are making advanced plays and shooting three-pointers. It inspires me to keep improving,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Oshodi highlighted the importance of partnerships in sustaining the initiative, which was established to empower young people through sports, education and character development.

He revealed that organisers had introduced a performance-tracking system to monitor participants’ progress and provide measurable data to sponsors, whose support remains crucial to the programme’s growth.

“Elevate Basketball is not just about basketball. It is about teaching young people the values of hard work, consistency and determination that can help them succeed in life,” Oshodi said.

The Lagos-born founder also disclosed his long-term vision of establishing a foundation and academy that would combine basketball training with athletics, enrichment programmes and educational support.