A nonprofit organisation, the Jordan Nwora Foundation (JNF), started a Basketball Camp in Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria, as foundation President Anthony Nwora declared readiness to partner with the Nasarawa State Government to develop talents in basketball.
JNF President Nwora stated this at a special reception held in honour of the Foundation and its members in Lafia, the State Capital, by the Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in conjunction with the Andoma Foundation.
He said that JNF relies on the power of sports to improve lives of underprivileged children around the world. JNF founder Jordan Nwora is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player who last played for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. He also plays for Nigeria men’s national basketball team, D’Tigers.
At the palace of the Andoma of Doma, the Paramount Ruler, and Grand Patron, North-central Basketball Association, HRH. Alh. Dr. Aliyu Ahmadu Ogah Onawo appreciated the leadership of the Jordan Nwora Foundation for finding a haven in Nasarawa State.
“We strive to inspire confidence, growth, and development in children by providing camps and resources that focus on the importance of education, a healthy lifestyle, and sports,” the JNF President said.
“Nasarawa State has shown interest for the development of youth through the game of basketball, they have also shown interest for the foundation to be here today. We are happy to be here and we hope that this will not be the last time.”
“With the coaches we brought from the United State to teach the game, we also have to teach the coaches that will sustain those trainings for the kids. So that by the time we have, they will sustain the legacy we have impacted in them,” Nwora added.
The Assistant Coach at Niagara Community College, New York City, Nicolas Sepe, said Nasarawa State is endowed with an array of talents that can rule the basketball world which was what necessitated the team’s choice of the North-Central State.
Responding, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Lucky Yargwa, thanked the Foundation and its members for choosing to partner with the State in the development of talents and basketball.
“On behalf of the State Government and the good people of the State, I welcome you to the land of boundless opportunities,” Yargwa, said. “Our joy today knows no bounds because what you have brought here is unrivaled and every reasonable Government will jump at it.
“This administration has aimed to harness and develop talents for podium appearance, but the Government is overburdened and overstretched with numerous other activities, making it pretty difficult to actualise all our set goals.”
“But with your coming today, it’s a huge burden taken off, partly, from the Government. Our Principal, the Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule continues to harp on partnership with relevant stakeholders and organisations to help achieve the “Exceeding All Expectations” mantra, and there is no better way to this than we are witnessing today,” Yargwa added.
“We are glad that you came, and rest assured that the Government will accord you all the necessary support to implement your program here.”
