ABA Secures Royal Backing For Grassroots Basketball Development In Gombe

The Amateur Basketball Academies (ABA) has secured royal backing for its grassroots basketball development initiatives following a one-day coaching clinic held in Gombe State.

The Deputy Chairman of the Gombe State Council of Emirs and Chiefs and North-East Coordinator of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, His Royal Highness Engineer Sale Muhammad Umar, OON, Mai Kaltungo, commended the ABA for bringing basketball academies under one association.

Mai Kaltungo spoke when he received the ABA board at his palace in Kaltungo, where he said the initiative would promote effective monitoring of academies and expose coaches and players to modern rules, regulations and best practices.

The traditional ruler also urged the ABA to establish a basketball court in Kaltungo, noting the strong passion for the sport among youths in the area.

He said developing basketball infrastructure could create employment opportunities for young people while providing an alternative pathway for youths seeking opportunities beyond white-collar jobs.

Mai Kaltungo pledged his support for the association and called on basketball stakeholders to embrace its programmes.

Responding, ABA President and Founder, Deputy Comptroller Aliyu Lucky Abubakar, thanked the traditional ruler for receiving the delegation and supporting the use of sport as a tool for youth development, empowerment and nation-building.

Abubakar said the visit provided an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between traditional institutions and sports development organisations working to create opportunities for young Nigerians.

He noted that basketball development goes beyond teaching technical skills, saying the sport also helps young people develop decision-making abilities, teamwork, resilience, discipline and a desire for excellence.

The ABA president sought the continued support and encouragement of the traditional institution as the association expands its grassroots basketball programmes across Gombe State, the North-East and other parts of Nigeria.

The ABA delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Kaltungo Local Government, Hon. Silas Bukar, where it sought support for its grassroots development initiatives.

Meanwhile, 25 coaches from basketball academies across Gombe State participated in the coaching clinic held at CONCECON Guest House, Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe.

The clinic, themed “Triple Threats”, focused on enhancing coaches’ knowledge and improving their capacity to develop young players.

Addressing participants, Abubakar stressed the importance of continuous learning, urging coaches to study modern basketball techniques and remain open to new ideas.

He said coaching requires dedication, patience, sacrifice and consistency, adding that young players need coaches who believe in them, encourage them, correct them and remain committed to their development.

Participants received training on the three areas of the Triple Threat, coach-coach and coach-player relationships, education and basketball, as well as training templates for coaches.

The Head Coach of the Gombe State Basketball Association, Haruna Kabiru, and other guests commended the ABA for organising the clinic, describing coaches as teachers, mentors, leaders, role models, motivators and builders of character.

The participating coaches expressed appreciation to the ABA for the opportunity and pledged to apply the knowledge gained in their respective academies.

The coaching clinic also forms part of preparations for the maiden Amateur Basketball Academies Championship, with state champions and runners-up in the men’s and women’s categories set to represent their states at the national championship in Abuja.