Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
Stakeholders at the third Elevate Basketball Clinic in Lagos have urged young athletes to pursue their sporting ambitions without sacrificing their education, stressing that academic development, discipline and personal growth are essential to preparing young people for life beyond the basketball court.
The one-day clinic, held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Rowe Park Sports Centre in Yaba, Lagos, brought together hundreds of young participants, mostly under the age of 16, for basketball training, skills development and mentorship.
Organised by Elevate Basketball Academy in partnership with the Lagos State Basketball Association, the initiative aims to use basketball as a platform for youth empowerment, character development and leadership.
Participants were introduced to basketball fundamentals and practical drills while organisers and other stakeholders emphasised the importance of combining athletic development with academic commitment.
The central message was that young people should not view education and sports as competing priorities. Instead, both can contribute to their long-term development when supported by discipline, effective time management and access to opportunities.
Elevate Basketball Academy Promotes Development Beyond the Court
Akinwande Oshodi, founder and sponsor of the Elevate Basketball Clinic, said the initiative was established to empower young people through basketball while helping them understand the values required to succeed in different areas of life.
Oshodi, a Lagos-born Nigerian based in the United States, has used the programme to connect his passion for basketball with youth development and community engagement.
He explained that the initiative was not limited to teaching children how to play the game but was also intended to help them develop the attitudes and skills necessary for success outside sports.
His approach places emphasis on discipline, perseverance, teamwork and personal responsibility, qualities that can benefit young people in school, their future careers and their communities.
The clinic also provides an opportunity for children to receive practical instruction, interact with fellow players and build confidence through organised sporting activities.
By bringing young people together in a structured environment, the programme seeks to encourage participation, improve fundamental basketball skills and expose participants to the broader benefits of organised sports.
The organisers believe that a young athlete’s development should not be measured solely by performance on the court. Academic progress, character, leadership and the ability to contribute positively to society are also important considerations.
Why Education Remains Important for Young Athletes
The emphasis on education reflects a significant challenge for young people pursuing competitive sports: maintaining a balance between training commitments and academic responsibilities.
Basketball can provide opportunities for personal development and, for some talented players, a pathway to higher education or professional competition. However, sporting careers can be unpredictable, and not every athlete will progress to the professional level.
Injuries, competition for places, limited opportunities and changes in personal circumstances can affect an athlete’s ability to sustain a sporting career.
Education therefore provides young athletes with additional skills and alternative opportunities that can remain valuable regardless of what happens in their sporting lives.
For children still in school, balancing these responsibilities requires planning, support from parents and guardians, and an understanding among coaches that academic commitments remain important.
The message delivered at the Lagos clinic was that sporting ambition should be pursued alongside learning rather than at its expense.
This approach can also help young athletes develop transferable skills. Managing schoolwork alongside regular training can encourage time management, consistency, responsibility and the ability to work towards long-term goals.
These qualities can support young people whether they eventually become professional basketball players, coaches, sports administrators or professionals in other fields.
Akinwande Oshodi Draws on Personal Experience
Oshodi’s commitment to combining sports with education is also informed by his personal experience.
His mother, Bosede Ode, a sports nurse who previously worked with the Lagos State Government at Rowe Park, highlighted the importance of preparing young people for circumstances in which their sporting ambitions may not unfold as expected.
Ode explained that an injury had prevented her son from pursuing basketball professionally, while his education helped him build a life beyond competitive sports.
Her experience reinforced the need for young athletes to develop their academic abilities while pursuing their passion for sports.
Ode also welcomed the growing participation of girls in sporting activities, encouraging them to take their education seriously alongside their athletic interests.
Her remarks highlighted the importance of creating an environment in which young people, regardless of gender, can develop their sporting abilities without losing sight of their educational goals.
The involvement of parents and guardians is particularly important in youth sports because children often depend on adults to help them manage their schedules, make decisions about training and maintain appropriate priorities.
When families, schools and coaches work together, young athletes are better positioned to pursue their interests while meeting their academic responsibilities.
Young Participants Encouraged by the Clinic
The benefits of the initiative were also reflected in the experience of participants attending the programme.
Abdulkareem Abdulraheem, who attended the clinic for the second consecutive year, said the progress he observed among participants had encouraged him to continue improving his own game.
He noted that the development of other young players since the previous edition provided motivation to keep learning and working towards his basketball goals.
Abdulraheem also explained that he trained regularly while ensuring that he devoted sufficient time to his academic work.
His experience reflected the message promoted by the organisers: young people can remain committed to improving their sporting abilities while continuing to prioritise education.
For participants at different stages of development, clinics can provide an opportunity to learn from coaches, practise fundamental skills and observe the progress of other players.
Such activities can also encourage young athletes to set realistic goals, accept constructive feedback and recognise the importance of consistent practice.
However, the long-term value of these programmes depends partly on whether participants can continue applying the lessons after the event.
Regular practice, school attendance, academic support and access to suitable sporting facilities can all contribute to sustaining the benefits of a one-day clinic.
Organisers Emphasise Leadership and Responsible Citizenship
Gbade Olatona, coordinator of the Elevate Basketball Clinic, said the programme was designed to do more than develop basketball players.
According to him, the initiative also seeks to nurture leadership, discipline and responsible citizenship among young people.
The programme’s broader approach reflects the belief that organised sports can provide a practical setting for teaching values that extend beyond competition.
Basketball requires players to communicate, cooperate with teammates, respect rules and respond constructively to both success and failure.
Young players must also learn to accept decisions, manage disagreements and understand their responsibilities within a team.
These experiences can help reinforce lessons about cooperation and accountability when combined with appropriate coaching and mentorship.
The clinic’s organisers aim to use these opportunities to help young participants develop the confidence and personal qualities needed to contribute positively to their communities.
Since the initiative began in 2024, the programme has sought to establish basketball as a tool for youth development, bringing together sporting instruction and lessons in character and leadership.
The third edition continued that approach by combining practical basketball activities with messages about education and personal development.
Partnership Supports Youth Basketball Development in Lagos
The collaboration between Elevate Basketball Academy and the Lagos State Basketball Association provides an organisational foundation for the clinic.
Partnerships between sports academies and governing associations can help youth programmes connect with coaching expertise, sporting networks and opportunities to participate in organised activities.
For young athletes, access to structured training can be particularly valuable during the early stages of development, when they are learning the fundamentals of the game and deciding how seriously to pursue their sporting interests.
Basketball clinics can introduce participants to basic techniques, encourage physical activity and help them understand the discipline required to improve.
They can also provide a meeting point for children who might otherwise have limited access to organised coaching or opportunities to interact with other aspiring players.
Nevertheless, a single event cannot address every challenge facing youth sports development. Sustained progress also depends on continued training opportunities, access to facilities, qualified coaching and support for participants who wish to advance.
For the Elevate initiative, the challenge will be to maintain young people’s interest and translate the lessons of each edition into continued development.
The organisers’ emphasis on mentorship and education suggests an ambition that extends beyond the immediate sporting experience.
The Wider Importance of Combining Sports and Education
The message from the clinic carries implications for youth development in Nigeria, where sports can serve as a source of recreation, personal growth and, for some individuals, future career opportunities.
Basketball and other organised sports can help young people build confidence, develop social relationships and learn the value of commitment.
However, ensuring that young athletes receive an education remains important to protecting their long-term interests.
A balanced approach requires more than advising children to study and train. It also calls for practical support from families, schools, coaches, sports administrators and community organisations.
Training schedules should, where possible, allow children to attend classes, complete assignments and prepare for examinations. Parents and guardians can help monitor academic progress, while coaches can reinforce the importance of meeting educational responsibilities.
Sports programmes can also strengthen their impact by incorporating mentorship, guidance on career options and discussions about the realities of professional competition.
For girls, encouraging participation while supporting educational achievement can help widen opportunities for personal development and involvement in organised sports.
The clinic’s message is therefore relevant not only to aspiring basketball players but also to the adults and institutions responsible for their development.
Investing in young athletes should involve recognising their potential both as sportspeople and as students, future professionals and members of society.
What Happens Next?
The third Elevate Basketball Clinic has continued an initiative that began in 2024, with its organisers seeking to expand the role of basketball in youth empowerment and character development.
Oshodi has also disclosed plans to establish a foundation focused on basketball and athletics while creating opportunities for educational enrichment.
He said the initiative was planning to track statistics to help communicate its activities and progress to sponsors.
Such monitoring could help organisers document participation and assess the programme’s development over time. However, the specific indicators to be tracked and the timetable for the proposed foundation were not detailed in the available reporting.
Continued engagement with participants, families and partners will be important in determining how effectively the initiative can support young people beyond the annual clinic.
For the children who took part, the immediate challenge is to apply what they learned through consistent practice, responsible behaviour and sustained attention to their education.
The central message remains clear: sporting talent can open doors, but education and personal development can help young people prepare for opportunities and challenges throughout their lives.
By promoting both priorities, the Elevate Basketball Clinic is seeking to make youth basketball about more than competition, placing learning, discipline and responsible citizenship at the centre of its development goals.
Sources
- Punch Newspapers — Report on the third Elevate Basketball Clinic and stakeholders’ calls for young athletes to balance education and sports.
- The Guardian Nigeria — Preview of the third Elevate Basketball Clinic and its youth development objectives.
- Elevate Basketball Academy — Information on the academy’s focus on personal growth, leadership and community empowerment.
