By HENRY AGUNANNE

12th December 2020 saw Titans Basketball Academy host its annual end of the year party, only this time the academy levelled up and changed things up a bit. Every December since 2013, the Academy has celebrated the achievements and progress of the year by organising what could be termed a get together, and over the years this tradition has metamorphosed gradually into a party.

This year Titans Basketball Academy decided to honour deserving persons who have, and are consistently making strides to develop and support the game of basketball in Nigeria, especially at the grassroots level with awards.

Awarded for enthusiasm, initiative and support towards grassroots basketball development were; Gboko City Chiefs and City Sparks owner, founder and CEO, 2Feet Africa Foundation and Co-commissioner of the Abuja City Basketball League, Mr. Fanen Iornem, Basketball enthusiast and supporter Mr. Ebuka Ufochukwu, Power Forward coordinator and a firm believer in youth development, Mr. Terfa Akpoyibo.

Long standing athletes of the academy Christopher Nkwocha and Sandra Udeh were awarded in recognition of commitment and service to the Academy and in recognition for ongoing commitment in player productivity respectively. Young and vibrant Titans Basketball Academy athlete, Abraham Sambo was awarded in recognition of his outstanding dedication, commitment and service to the Academy.

The occasion was also used to confer the titles of Patrons of the Academy on Dr. Rufus Ebegba (PhD), who was represented by his personal assistant Mr. Adamu Shittu, and Mr. Ifeanyi Ajegbo as they have shown immense desire to support grassroots sports. Dr. Rufus Ebegba who is the Director General of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) and the founder of the Rufus Ebegba Centre for Leadership Environmental Sustainability, was instrumental in the huge success of the maiden edition of the Titans Basketball Tournament. Mr. Ifeanyi Ajegbo has been supporting the Academy with his time and resources and was also very supportive of the maiden edition of the Titans Basketball Tournament. Together, Mr. Ifeanyi Ajegbo and Dr. Rufus Ebegba will be assisting the Academy in its mission of player development and progress. Speaking at the event, they both congratulated the Academy and Coach Andre Achebe for a job well done in youth engagement and promised to work towards the shared progress of the Academy. 

This year’s end of the year celebrations was not all about the party, but more about getting greater visibility for Academy and the benefits of playing sports while also engaging willing stakeholders to invest in the future of the kids at the Academy. Talents were showcased, speeches were made, and the program for 2021 was unveiled to set the ball rolling for the next chapter of activities of the Academy.

 

In all, the party was “lit” and it was a monumental way to sign off the activities of the year.