More Competitions are Required for the Growth of Players says Ujiri

Nigerian basketballers need more competitions to grow

Co- founder of Giants of Africa (GOA) basketball program, Masai Ujiri has called on the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and corporate bodies to organize more championships for youths aspiring to become stars in the dunking game, saying lack of competitions has stunted the countrys growth in the game. Addressing journalists at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at the weekend before departing for Senegal where he would round off the GOA program, the Toronto Raptors president said Nigeria and other African countries have abundant talent in basketball that can take the world by storm if adequate mentorship and developmental programs were put in place to nurture children in their formative stage. Ujiri, who assured that he would continue to contribute his quota in taking Nigerian basketball to an enviable height, said he decided to visit Maiduguri with the Giants of Africa basketball clinic to promote the game in the North East, stressing that there were many talents in the region waiting to be discovered. He pleaded with government at the state and federal levels and also well-meaning Nigerians to help in building standard basketball courts in the country, saying it would go a long way in hasting the development of the players.