Planet Bottling Company, makers of American Cola, has unveiled a renovated basketball court in Ilupeju, Lagos, as part of an initiative aimed at promoting grassroots sports, youth creativity and urban culture.

The American Cola Creative Court was launched in partnership with the Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area, transforming an existing basketball facility into a multi-purpose community space.

The renovated facility is designed to serve not only basketball players but also young people interested in music, dance, fashion, content creation and other forms of creative expression.

The initiative reflects the company’s efforts to create platforms where young people can develop their talents while strengthening connections with their communities.

The launch also featured the American Cola Courtside basketball competition, held under the theme “Basketball Meets Art”.

The competition brought together young players from different communities across Lagos, who competed in half-court and shoot-the-hoop contests.

The tournament, which began as a community sports initiative in 2024, has evolved into a platform for promoting grassroots basketball, community engagement and opportunities for emerging players.

Speaking at the launch, Naji Awada,
Marketing Manager Planet Bottling Company, said the renovation was driven by the need to revive interest in basketball and create opportunities for young players.

He said the project was intended to go beyond improving the appearance of the court by creating a space where young athletes could build relationships, develop their abilities and pursue their ambitions.

“When it comes to basketball, we are looking to do more, especially in different communities, to bring together all of the people under the same roof, which is the talent that mostly we miss because no one is giving them the right attention,” Awada noted.

He said the company hoped to extend similar initiatives to other communities and contribute to the development of basketball at grassroots level.

Planet Bottling Company’s Communication Manager, Franklyn Eluagu, said the partnership with Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA formed part of a broader effort to improve basketball facilities and support players in communities where the sport is popular.

“All the communities that play basketball, starting with Lagos, we’re identifying them and seeing what we can do as a brand to improve the conditions when it comes to the community and the court,” Eluagu said.

He said the company was also interested in supporting creative activities around the renovated facility.

“For those who love to create content, for those who love music, for those who love to dance, we made the court to look a lot better  and to ensure that for the communities, those who love basketball can find a place that they can come to and feel very welcome,” he said.

The renovated court therefore seeks to combine sporting activity with wider forms of youth culture, providing a venue where basketball and creative pursuits can take place alongside one another.

Young basketball players from communities across Lagos participated in the launch tournament and had the opportunity to use the newly transformed facility.

Officials from the local council who attended the event included the Leader of the House, Lekan Adeyi; Special Adviser on Sports, Shotanwa Ahmed; Supervisor for Special Duties, Kamoru Fajolu; Supervisor for Youth Affairs and Socials, Tosin Mabinuori; Senior Special Assistant on Sports, Ifeoluwa Jimoh; Senior Special Assistant on Social Services, Samson Temim; Senior Special Assistant on Media, Abiodun Shonibare; and Media Aide to the Chairman, Alayo Kehinde.

The project comes amid efforts by private organisations and community stakeholders to support grassroots sports and improve recreational facilities, particularly in areas where access to quality sporting infrastructure remains limited.

For residents and young athletes in Ilupeju, the refurbished facility provides a renewed space for basketball, recreation and creative activities, while the organisers hope it will help more young people discover and develop their talents.