A basketball coach based in Abesan Estate, Lagos, Paul Iroegbule has cast his mind back to his days of playing ‘the giants’ game’ at University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and said he is already training his 11-year-old son to follow his footsteps.
Sports247 reports that Iroegbule enjoyed the passion of playing and coaching basketball in his days at UNN but opined that things are no longer rosy for lads who want to play the game as students.
The indigene of Mbaise in Imo State further told Sports247 in an exclusive interview that he gave a lot of attention to basketball at UNN, though he studied Civil Engineering, which many people considered to be a very tough course.
To prove that his passion for basketball was real, Iroegbule soon became a coach-player at UNN (2009-2015) and he has even continued in the same track now that he is a father of three (a boy and two girls).
He recalled how he learnt basics of the game from veteran basketball coach, Charles Ibeziakor, at Raptors Academy in Surulere, Lagos, and he is now giving his son the same progressive foundation, to help the kid achieve what he could not.
“I hope to see my son achieve in basketball what I could not get,” Iroegbule disclosed, “I think he can be good as a small forward or power forward.
“I’ve also registered him for volleyball training along with his sisters. Since he’s still young, he can learn both basketball and volleyball for now, then make his choice in the future.”
Iroegbule also spoke about his experiences as a player and coach, but admitted that he is currently paying more attention to his job, mostly because he did not get a breakthrough in basketball.
“My love for basketball grew from my days at Oshodi Comprehensive Secondary School, but it was not until I got to UNN that I was really active as a player and coach.
“I was a science student, but I did not allow that to disturb me. My love for basketball grew when I had opportunities to train under Coach Owolo at Punch Estate and Coach Charlie with Raptors at the National Stadium in Surulere.
“They both motivated me a lot, but I did not play for any basketball club. That’s why I soon stopped playing the game and then concentrated on coaching.
“I became an assistant with Doozy Star Basketball Academy, but our players are mostly undergraduates who we can train only when they return home for the holidays.
“I still find time to play once in a while at the basketball courts of Abesan Estate. That, though, is when I take time out from my busy jobs as a cite engineer and security consultant,” Iroegbule expatiated.
He went on to express hope that his son will enjoy the benefits of being a basketball player more than he did, in much the same way he learnt security management through his father, who was a military officer.
