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D’Tigers assistant captain Michael Eric hosted a Top 50 Elite Basketball Camp in Lagos on Friday, with organisers hailing the event as a major success following the impressive turnout and exceptional standard of young talent on display.
The camp was organised under the auspices of the Erico Sports Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organisation founded by Eric in honour of his late father, former Super Eagles goalkeeper and assistant coach Joe Erico.
The initiative aims to identify, nurture and inspire the next generation of Nigerian basketball stars through elite coaching, mentorship and player development opportunities.
Eric Happy To Help Youngsters Grow
Eric said watching the teenagers showcase their talent throughout the day strengthened his belief that the foundation was having a meaningful impact by providing opportunities for young Nigerians who would otherwise have limited access to quality sporting platforms.
“Seeing these kids show up prepared and eager to learn, seeing the hunger in their eyes — it gives you goosebumps and that is exactly the goal,” Eric declared.
He added that the initiative was inspired in part by his late father, whose lifelong commitment to giving back to the community has remained a guiding principle throughout his professional career.
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“He always told me it is not about you. You are here for a reason, and you must use your gift to give. I have taken that message very deeply. It is no longer just about me. I have lived the life I could live and enjoyed what basketball has given me, but I have to come back home and make sure something meaningful is done,” Eric said.
Programme Achieving Objective
The foundation’s Programme Director, Gbenga Jetawo, described the turnout as overwhelming, saying participation at the camp surpassed expectations. He added that since its launch five years ago, the initiative has impacted more than 1,000 young athletes, with the programme being fully funded by Michael Eric.
“We were impressed by the turnout and by the display of these teenagers. What they showed today tells you that the talent is there. We train them in the basics of basketball, encourage and mentor them, and advise them on life beyond the sport. If we see a child has interest in something else, we encourage them to chase that too,” Jetawo stated.
Young Basketball Stars Turn Out In Large Numbers
A total of 50 young players, accompanied by their coaches from basketball academies across Nigeria, gathered in Lagos for the one-day camp.
The initiative was designed to identify outstanding talents while exposing participants to elite training methods and international basketball standards.
The players took part in a series of intensive drills, skill-development sessions and competitive exercises, with the Erico Sports Legacy Foundation providing each participant with basketball shoes, jerseys and other training equipment.
At the end of the camp, the top two or three performers will be shortlisted for sponsorship opportunities or trials with clubs in Europe.
