300 students begin NBA basketball clinic in Abuja

The launch event took place at the Model Secondary School at Maitama in Abuja.
It was the second edition of the event, tagged “Power Forward”, a youth engagement initiative that uses basketball to develop health, leadership and life skills among Nigerian youths.
The first edition of the launch took place in 2013 in partnership with the NBA, Africare, ExxonMobil and local school and education officials.
Nigeria-born Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon and former NBA player Obinna Ekezie, and three-time WNBA Champion Swin Cash performed the launch that was implemented in 10 schools in Abuja.
This year’s edition include basketball games, clinics, life skills seminars and train-the-trainer sessions for the coaches, culminating in a 2015 boys and girls Power Forward final game.
Speaking at the occasion, Amadou Gallo Fall, NBA Vice President and Managing Director-Africa, said the NBA was excited for the tip off the second season of Power Forward , with Chiney Ogwumike in attendance.
He added that: “The passion that Nigerian youth have for the game of basketball and the level of energy they bring to the program each day have been outstanding, and they inspire us and our partners to continue harnessing the power of our game to make positive social change.”
Also speaking, Chiney Ogwumike, who plays for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA
“The Power Forward program is a great example of how the values of basketball are important in everyday life and help build social cohesion. I am thrilled to be back in Nigeria for the program’s second year and to work with these young boys and girls.”