Former USA-based coach and instructor, Charles Ibeziako has disclosed that his next target is to win this year’s contest in the Nigerian Premier Basketball League with his youth development team, Lagos Raptors.
Ibeziako told Sports247 in an exclusive interview that the team has grown rapidly from what started basically as a basketball academy into a full-fledged club that won the third and second division titles within just two years.
While referring to his team now as basketball academy/club, Ibeziako stated with delight how their training sessions at National Institute for Sports (NIS) open air court at Lagos National Stadium, Surulere have become highly competitive.
He thanked the team’s captain/executive secretary, Dipo Fagbemi for leading by example, as they went on to win the National Division One title and they are now preparing to play in the top-flight league.
Ibeziako stated, “We are aiming at winning the Nigerian Basketball Premier League this year. Having won the National Division One and Two titles, I believe we can go higher this year.
“However, we are in need of financial and material assistance. We have many needs to cover. So, we welcome corporate support, as well as sponsorship and partnership with well-meaning people.”
The former basketball player turned coach also issued a clarion call to Nigeria’s sports officials and people in authority to support youth development projects all across the country, especially regarding grooming of talents.
“Nigeria’a sports administrators should provide better welfare and adequate benefits to young players. They should also give proper incentives, reward and renumerations to players, coaches and teams in general,” Ibeziako suggested.
He concluded with a general assessment and overview of the progress that has been achieved by Raptors Basketball Academy/Club since they came into existence in 2004, as well as an analysis of their objectives.
The guru fondly called ‘Coach Charlie’ expatiated, “We have produced girls and boys in all spheres of life, not limited to only basketball, but including other sports and morals as well.
“We have won multiple medals in different categories and competitions. Raptors have also mentored and helped boys and girls to discover themselves in academics, social life, self-reliance – individually and collectively as a team for a better future.
“Raptors have also gone further in assisting quite a number of former players to become certified basketball coaches; with support through cash and kind.
“Raptors are relentless in forging ahead, continuing to help discover, groom, train and nurture young girls and boys in steps towards discovering themselves and imparting them with ethics of the disciplined game of basketball.”
