By Ben Efe

In present day Nigerian sports,it is rare to find youths who are focused on achieving world acclaim in athleticism; one of such is Patrick Okafor who has pictures of Akeem Olajuwon in his mind as he trains everyday at the National Stadium Lagos.

Okafor is even more encouraged that it was at the same Stadium, Olajunwon was discovered and taken on scholarship to study in the USA and later became a basketball legend playing for Houston Rockets in the American NBA league.

“I want to achieve basketball success like Olajuwon, said the 16-year-old Okafor who stands at 6.4ft.

“I have read about him a lot and each day I come to train at the Stadium, I remind myself it was at this same place he had his beginnings and it give more zeal to train.”

Okafor

The youngster took interest in the game while studying at Kings College Lagos. He recently graduated and he is hoping to further his education either in the USA or in Nigeria, but according to him playing basketball is paramount in his life pursuit.

“I also played cricket while at Kings College. But it was basketball that really had an attraction for me. It is fast and hard to play, since I have the height I decided that it was where I want to pursue a sports career. Football is the least on my mind,” Okafor stated.

Before finishing secondary school in June, he led the Kings College basketball team to several local and international contests and he was awarded the most innovative player for two consecutive years in 2015 and 2016.

His coach at the Gripps Breed Academy where he now trains said Okafor has a huge future in the sport, if he can stay focused and train harder.

“He is one of the smartest kids I have training with. I brought him from Kings College where I used to coach.

“He learns very fast and I am happy he is eager to learn and train. I can only wish that he maintains his focus and discipline,” said Seun Akinwale who has played for clubs like Islanders and Ebun Comets.