Portland Trail Blazers forward, Al-Faruq
Aminu, visited Nigeria at the weekend to set up a training camp in
Ibadan, which involved more than 40 children.
Some of the children will be selected to
take part in the African Conference, taking place in South Africa later
in the year. The D’Tigers star said it was his intention to mentor the
children to star in the NBA soon.
After the event, which took place on
Friday and Saturday, the NBA star was led to the palace of the Olubadan
of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, by the Chairman of Kakanfo Inn and
Conference Centre, Dr. Lekan Are, on Sunday. The basketball player had
in his team, his mentor, Yinka Abioye, family members as well as agent
from the US Chief Executive Officer of KICC, Damola Are.
Describing the day as a special one in
his life, Aminu said his visit to the Olubadan was out of respect for
the influential monarch. He presented a basketball to the king at the
end of the visit.
He said, “It was amazing working with
those children on the court during the training camp. I have seen the
quality of these children and it is glad to know that they have a great
future in the game. After the camp, some of the children will play in
the African Conference in South Africa.
“Coming to Nigeria gives me a great
feeling. Meeting the king is a great experience too. Ibadan is my home
and it gave me a great feeling to visit the palace. Olubadan is our
father.”
The Olubadan wished Aminu a fulfilling
career in the game, saying the basketball player had demonstrated
qualities of a true son of Ibadan.
Facilitator of the visit, Dr. Are, highlighted the importance of the meeting and thanked the monarch for receiving the team
He said, “Aminu is one of our sons that
we should be proud of. He is in Nigeria with his mother, wife and
members of his family. To rise in the NBA, you need a mentor or agent no
matter how good you are. Aminu has deemed it fit to visit Nigeria with
people who made him. One of them is Tabrez Yousuf, who came with him.
Aminu is the great grandson of former Olubadan Salawu Aminu Adeoyo.”
Speaking on the visit, Abioye said the training camp would hold annually.
“The choice of Ibadan for his training
camp was borne out of his passion for the city. He is from Ibadan and it
is important for him to visit the Olubadan whenever he comes home. He
has paid homage to the king and received his royal blessing.
“By our estimation, it (the training
camp) was a huge success, we are really impressed with the camp and what
we saw the children doing. NBA Africa and Portland Trail Blazers are
excited with what we have done. Al-Faruq is equally happy with how
things have turned out. The children are happy with what the players
have done in their lives.”
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