Elevate Basketball Clinic comes back on October 17

The historic Rowe Park Sports Centre in Yaba, Lagos, will come alive on October 17. The Elevate Basketball Clinic is back for its third year. What started as a vision in 2024 has turned into a growing youth movement.

The Elevate Basketball Academy is organizing this event with support from the Lagos State Basketball Association. The one-day program is expected to attract hundreds of excited participants under the age of 16.

Coordinator Gbade Olatona shared how the initiative has been growing. Each year, more young people want to take part. Olatona said the clinic is “not only about producing athletes but about shaping leaders, responsible citizens, and agents of change.”

Akinwande Oshodi, the US-based Nigerian founder and sponsor, has a personal connection to this project. He knows the struggles of life firsthand. For him, basketball is not just a sport. It teaches discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and resilience.

Oshodi's main goal is to use basketball for personal growth. He wants to help young players build confidence to succeed both on and off the court. “Through youth clinics, mentorship, character development, and community outreach, we provide opportunities for young athletes to develop their talents while strengthening the values that lead to success in school, sports, and life,” Oshodi explained.

As Rowe Park gets ready for the next batch of talent, the Elevate Basketball Clinic keeps being a strong link between youth dreams and real chances. The game offers hope and transformation for many young people across Lagos.