The United States Consulate in Nigeria, in collaboration with Organised Basketball Network (OBN), is training young Nigerians between the ages 6 and 18 on how to play basketball.

Jennifer Foltz, the US Consulate Deputy Public Affairs Officer, disclosed this during the opening ceremony of a four-day training programme.

Tagged “Uplift Africa Youth Through Basketball Camp”, the programme is for young boys and girls in underserved communities in Rivers State.

Ms Foltz said the basketball camp would provide 60 participants, aged between 6 and 18, the opportunity to learn about the sport, gender-based violence, inclusion of marginalised communities and build their communication, leadership and teamwork skills.

She said that sports will impact positively on young Nigerians and eliminate gender-based violence in the country.

In his speech, the state governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, said the country needed skills and sports to lift up Nigeria and Africa at large.

Mr Wike, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Ipalibo Harry, said that his administration is committed to the training of youths on skills.

In his response, Obinna Ekezie, Founder, Organised Basketball Network (OBN), said young Nigerians had a lot to benefit from sports, stressing that it would eliminate gender-based violence in the society.

Mr Ekezie said that sports, as one of the skills, would help young Nigerians to do well in their education, urging women to put more interest in sports and thanked the US for its support in training young Nigerians.

(NAN)