BY JACOB AJOM

Olumide Oyedeji is a name synonymous with Nigerian basketball. He is one of the second generation Nigerian basketballers who found their way abroad and changed the course of basketball in the country.

Apart from his involvement with the national team which has lasted for about a decade, the powerful Nigerian star has for the past twelve years been organising an annual basketball camp for kids in the country.

Last Thursday in Lagos, Oyedeji whose brush with basketball authorities in the country a few years back saw him embark on a voluntary, albeit, brief self withdrawal from international duties, announced dates for the 12th edition of the Olumide Oyedeji Basketball Camp.

Ever humble and focused, Oyedeji said he was pleased with what he was doing as he could not do ‘enough’ to give back to the country that brought him to limelight. “It has been really wonderful working with the kids these past twelve years. It is all about giving back to the society that made you what you are. My joy is that, the little we have been able to do these past years has started bearing fruits.The Olumide Oyedeji basketball camp has produced a lot of talents as some are already in the various national teams and clubs in the country,” he said.

He said that this year’s edition which commences August 29 to September 3, will, like others before it combine academics, citizenship training and how to prepare the kids on how to face challenges in life as they grow up. “The Olumide Oyedeji basketball camp is not only about basketball,” he started. “it touches on all aspects of life while we use basketball as the lynchpin.”

He noted that his involvement with the national basketball team would affect his full presence at the camp, but promised that the kids who are expected to be between 400 and 500 will not miss anything as they would be handled by the best instructors available.

Olumide said, “I will make effort to fly down for the commencement of the camp from Madagascar to the camp and fly back for the All Africa Games. That is the sacrifice we have to make for the kids,” he said. But he promised the kids will get the best.“I will involve some of my former colleagues in the national team and some coaches from Nigeria. It is not about the number, but the quality of instructors.”

Olumide was ever grateful to the management of Afrab Chem, the company that has stood firmly behind the success of the camp. And the pharmaceutical company was full represented at the briefing by its management led by the managing director, Malik Shahin who said the company identified with Olumide’s vision because it was in consonance with the company’s creed. “We have been in this country for decades and would quickly identify with any patriotic undertaking that can offer us a platform to give back to the country that has done so much for us,” the chief executive said. The camp will be at that indoor sports hall of the National Stadium