THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013 SPORTS In Nigeria, basketball dreams are growing LAGOS: Abiodun Francis Ayetimiyi was me,” the teenager said with a grin, leaning his own camps in Nigeria. And former nity to not join gangs, to go to school and meant to follow his father and pursue forward to make his point. Seattle Supersonics and Orlando Magic to be a better person,” he said. He said that medicine in Nigeria. He found a different Picked by the NBA as one of seven center Olumide Oyedeji. many Nigerians leave to play in other path one morning seven years ago when Nigerians to attend the recent talent- On a steaming hot Friday in the Yaba countries “because they need money, they he was playing soccer and came upon scouted Basketball Without Borders camp neighborhood of Lagos, Oyedeji coaches need to support their families.” another ball, a big orange one. in South Africa, Ayetimiyi is among a new at least 250 kids from the age of five and The reality right now is the average The 16-year-old’s natural speed and generation ready to ride the momentum up who practice layups, passes and basic salary in the Nigerian league is only about athleticism now have him pursuing bas- basketball is gaining in this West African dribbles wearing brightly colored T-shirts. $100 a month, said Joe Touomou, the Mark ketball stardom, a dream that is becoming country of nearly 160 million people, albeit The 6-foot-10 Oyedeji plays with them, Mentors head coach and a consultant to more achievable in a country that pro- decades after Olajuwon blazed a trail. towering over the youngsters who line up the Nigerian Basketball Federation, the duced one of the NBA’s greats but, like Nigeria’s participation in the 2012 laughing and clapping for each other NBBF - “not enough for a kid to live off.” most of Africa, has had little space for any Olympics raised the international visibility around four different baskets. With the Touomou is part of a bigger plan to sport other than soccer. of the country’s basketball talent, but sev- blow of a whistle, everyone stops and lis- encourage youngsters to seek careers in About 30 years after Hall of Famer eral Nigerians who had already made it to tens, excited to be in his gentle, inspiring basketball. That involves the promised Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon first international stardom also make it a priori- presence. The subsidized camp gives the land of playing for college teams in the emerged from the sprawling city of Lagos, ty to actively encourage the sport back underprivileged kids a chance to learn the United States and the chance for two Ayetimiyi is part of a new drive for basket- home. sport, and be close to a Nigerian hero. things; better coaching and a good educa- “Nigeria is my home. I started this camp tion - opportunities Olajuwon seized in the so I can share my experiences,” Oyedeji early 1980s at the University of Houston, said. “I hope we can contribute to their and others have also more recently taken. lives and give them hope for the future Yet, not all Nigerian kids will make it to an because that’s what basketball gave me. I American college so there’s work being had a difficult childhood.” done at home, too. Kids gather close, hanging on Oyedeji’s Nigeria’s Basketball Federation wants to LAGOS: In this photo taken , Sept. words. Oyedeji will leave soon for Japan, foster local talents. Touomou, a 10, 2013, a child learns ball work where he now plays. But his impact will Cameroonian who played for Georgetown during a basket ball camp organized remain, for girls as well as boys. and turned to coaching after an injury, is by former Seattle Supersonics and “Even though we (girls) are not recog- also tasked with building coaching expert- Orlando Magic center Olumide nized very well, we can still play. I want to ise in the capital Abuja and its surrounding Oyedeji. —AP be the best and play for the WNBA,” said state. “Every time I came here I was 15-year-old Ibeh Lucy Chinelo, who started impressed by the potential. The size, the in Africa, including Nigeria, from this year. a pickup game during the camp’s lunch athleticism, the strength of the players,” “Fifty countries are watching the game break. Her friend Ayomide Olukayode Touomou said of Nigeria. “The one thing I and it’s unbelievable,” Umar said. Young chimed in: “I want to be a professional knew was lacking was the skills. A lot of hopeful Ayetimiyi leaps high to dunk in player and I want to play for the national players were not polished yet, a lot of play- Lagos, then dribbles the ball back to cen- team.” ers lacked game experience, a lot of play- ter court, skipping with pleasure in his Nigeria is offering more local opportu- ers lacked good coaching.” shiny sneakers and sharp, white long- nities: high school teams, university Tijjani Umar, president of the NBBF, said sleeved Basketball Without Borders jersey. leagues and state franchises like Mark basketball in Nigeria “needs the private Basketball’s exposure on TV is what LAGOS: In this photo taken, Sept. 5, 2013, an unidentified player from Mark Mentors, Kano Pillars, Union Bank and sector to take interest.” Nike has signed to Mentors BC (centre) in red and black is challenged by Kano Pillars players changed his father’s opinion. “My parents Dodan Warriors, who faced off at Nigeria’s be the official uniform provider for the saw me on TV during a state festival game during Nigeria’s own final four in Lagos, Nigeria which the Pillars went on to own Final Four in September. national team and a subsidiary of the win. —AP and said I was too good to stop playing,” Dodan Warriors forward Ifeanyi Modo sports management group IMG is looking he said. “They were proud of me, and I’m ball here, and a chance for new dreams in First came Olajuwon, the two-time NBA started playing at a local court in Ajegunle, into Nigeria, Umar said. lucky I have their support.” Nigeria. “In my country I’m known here, champion and 12-time All-Star with the a Lagos neighborhood known for churn- DSTV, a South African satellite televi- He circles back to the court, grins, drib- but I want to be known elsewhere. I want Houston Rockets. More recently there has ing out soccer players, though also known sion network that beams across the conti- bles and goes for another layup, believing my hard work to be seen by agents, coach- been Toronto Raptors General Manager for its slum areas and gangs. nent, has a four-year sponsorship program every shot he makes can take him closer to es. I’d like to finish high school in the U.S. Masai Ujiri, who directs the Basketball “Basketball gives you an opportunity to with the NBBF. Live NBA games will also be his dream of international basketball star- They don’t need to put much work into Without Borders Africa program and runs get off the streets, it gives you an opportu- broadcast on that network to 47 territories dom. —AP Blackhawks down Capitals CHICAGO: Brandon Saad, Johnny Oduya and Marian Hossa scored in the third period as the Chicago Blackhawks kicked off their Stanley Cup title defense with a 6-4 victory over Mikhail Grabovski and the Washington Capitals on Tuesday in the NHL regular-season opener. Patrick Kane, Brent Seabrook and Brandon Bollig also scored as Chicago won its first game for the second straight season. Corey Crawford made 28 saves, Nissan’s Championship battle to including a couple of huge stops when the Blackhawks killed off a be decided at the Nurburgring late 5-on-3 power play. DUBAI: Nissan takes its team of talented Grabovski had three goals and gamers to the Nurburgring in Germany this an assist in his first game since weekend for the final round of the Blancpain he signed with Washington in Endurance Series. The result of this race will August. Alex Ovechkin had a decide both the driver and team titles in the goal and an assist, but the Pro-Am class of the 2013 Series. Capitals were unable to protect The Pro-Am team championship is a a third-period lead. straight fight between Nissan and Ferrari, cur- Grabovski had consecutive rently separated by just one point with Nissan power-play goals in the third, having the upper hand. lifting Washington to a 3-2 Lucas Ordonez leads the Pro-Am driver’s advantage with 14:44 left. But championship, ahead of team-mates Peter Saad finished a beautiful give- Pyzera and Alex Buncombe but with 33 points and-go with Michal Handzus, awarded to the race winner that title battle is and Oduya converted a long still wide open. Nissan GT Academy Team RJN Salman Al Khater — 2013 ME GT slap shot at 13:53 to put the will field two cars for this event. The No.35 Academy Winner Blackhawks ahead to stay. CHICAGO: Martin Erat No. 10 of the Washington Capitals controls the puck under pressure from Patrick Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 will be raced by Lucas Exchange. I was very surprised and impressed Sharp No. 10 of the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. —AFP Ordonez, Wolfgang Reip and Peter Pyzera, by the three drivers who have been over to MAPLE LEAFS 4, CANADIENS 3 while the sister No.32 GT-R will be in the hands Japan so far (Lucas, Alex and Jann).