Joel Ajayi
The Amateur Basketball Academies (ABA) has commenced a three-day Referees and Technical Officials Clinic in Abuja as part of efforts to develop a new generation of basketball officials capable of meeting international standards and advancing the growth of the game in Nigeria.
The clinic, tagged “Dreams Alive,” was declared open by the President and Founder of ABA, Deputy Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Aliyu Abubakar, at the basketball court of the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Abuja.
The programme has brought together about 25 participants, aged between 17 and 25, from basketball academies across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Kano State. It is designed to equip aspiring referees and technical officials with the knowledge, practical skills and confidence needed to officiate the game at national and international levels.
Addressing the participants, Abubakar described the clinic as an opportunity for young Nigerians to build rewarding careers in basketball officiating and sports administration.
He noted that while players often receive public recognition, referees and technical officials remain the backbone of every successful basketball competition by ensuring fairness, discipline, professionalism and strict adherence to the rules of the game.
According to him, ABA’s vision goes beyond discovering talented players to developing every aspect of the basketball ecosystem, including coaches, referees, statisticians, commissioners, technical officials and administrators.
He explained that the “Dreams Alive” initiative was created to inspire young people who are passionate about basketball but may choose career paths outside playing.
“Our goal is to open new opportunities in sports officiating, technical administration and sports management while strengthening the future of basketball in Nigeria,” he said.
Abubakar congratulated the participants on their selection, urging them to take full advantage of the intensive training by approaching every lecture, practical session and assessment with commitment and enthusiasm.
Also speaking, FIBA Referee Instructor Nuhu Samuel warned participants to prepare for a demanding but rewarding programme that combines classroom instruction with practical court sessions.
He said the clinic would expose participants to the latest interpretations of basketball rules, officiating mechanics and international best practices required for modern basketball officiating.
Other dignitaries at the opening ceremony included ABA board members Coach Adeka Daudu, Coach Emmanuel Odah, Coach Alex Ujoh, Coach Oyekan Oyedeji, Kayode Adeniyi, and the Board Secretary, Genevieve Ogechi Ihenewengwa.
The clinic is expected to enhance the capacity of young officials and contribute significantly to the long-term development of basketball in Nigeria.
