DAM foundation and basketball development in Kano - By Ado Salisu
DAM Foundation is powered by a veteran basketball player who is now the Director General of Energy Commission of Nigeria.
The contribution of the DAM Foundation gave impetus to the just concluded 1st Kanawa inter-tertiary institution basketball championship This is a sign of the restoration of the game of basketball and other games that have not been competed for in the not too distant past.
Indeed, the collaboration of Adam Foundation with other stakeholders in sports industry has gone far in complementing the efforts of Kano state government towards the overall development of various sporting events particularly basketball event in the state.
Been a home of basketball, following its track record and achievements recorded by the state darling team: Kano Pillars basketball team, which excelled in the 80s and upto 90s.
All these feats accomplished by the state, especially at grassroots and national levels, can be linked to the commitment and support from the relevant agencies and sponsors as well as the dedication from the players which enabled them to project the good image of the state.
In those days, a lot of competitions were organised by various sponsors in collaboration with the Kano state Basketball Association under which aegis many players were produced. Many of them went on to represent the state at national and international levels.
No doubt the Kofar Nassarawa basketball courts became the springboard for their successes by contributing positively to the horning of their skills, thus paving way for coaches to recruit hidden talented players during local tournaments.
Those frequent inter Tertiary institutions and secondary schools basketball championships produced players like Sani Ahmad, Aminu Datti, Rabiu Tukur, Muktar Adamu Khalid, Ado Wayo, Alto, Sanbo Yusuf, Ali Muhammad Ali and many others.
Some of them, who featured as products of Kano Pillars basketball team were invited and played for the national basketball team. Others have been privileged to secure places in foreign clubs in Angola and United States of America among others countries.
The resuscitation of the inter Tertiary institution basketball competition now is a clear indication that the game will certainly restore it lost glory in the state.
However, there is the need for multi corporate organisations and wealthy individuals to complement Kano state government efforts in supporting sports generally as government along cannot shoulder all the responsibilities of re-energizing the game.
No doubt, this synergy between the state government and good spirited sports lovers will go a long way in moving the game and others like it forward. This is considering the fact that sports has been playing key role in cementing the cordial relationship and unity between various ethnic groups. Overall, all these add up to projecting the good image of the state and the country at large.
The spirit and letter of the resuscitation was exhilarating. It witnessed the convergence of veteran basketball players such as the Vice Chancellor of Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu university, KHAIRUN, Professor Abdulrashid Garba, the former Vice Chancellor of Northwest University, Professor Mustapha Isa, hitherto national team coaches: Scott Nnaji and Sani Ahmad; former administrators: the Vice Chancellor of Baba Ahmad University, Professor Idris Tanko, the chairman of technical committee of the Nigerian University Games Association, NUGA, Professor Musa Garba Yakasai AA, the former Registrar of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil and member governing council, Dr. Aminu Bello Dan Iyan Makaman Kano, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Northwest University, Professor Abubakar Salisu Garba and the director of sports BUK, Professor Rabiu Muhammad popularly known as Chanhu.
Speaking at the final, a coordinator of DAM Foundation, Abdulmajid Abdullahi expressed gratitude to all those who have contributed in one way or the other towards the success of the tournament.
Abdullahi assured that the foundation will continue to partner with relevant stakeholders with the aim to develop the game in the state and the country in general.
In his remarks, the coordinator of the championship, Sanusi Shuaibu Badway, thanked the sponsors and the participants for their commitment towards the success of the event.
Meanwhile, BUK basketball team emerged the overall winner after beating its Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil 49-20 points to go home with a giant trophy and one hundred thousand naira, while runners up went home with the second trophy and seventy thousand naira only.
Northwest University Kano took the third place prize with a trophy and fifty thousand naira and KHAIRUN won the most disciplined team while Abubakar Muhammad of BUK win the Most Valuable Player MVP.
It is on this note that the DAM Foundation deserves commendation for its commitment and support to the revitalization as well as gingering of the younger generation of basketballers in the state.
