BALL extends campaign to Ijora, donates basketball shoes to female players

As part of its efforts to promote sports participation among young people, particularly girls, the Ball Activating Literacy and Leadership (BALL) organisation has donated 25 pairs of basketball shoes to female players in Lagos.

BALL said that it would, through its “One BALL Campaign,” provide young people with the necessary equipment to excel in their chosen sport.

Convener of the BALL campaign, Oluwafemi Adefeso, yesterday in Lagos, explained: “We are intentional about inviting girls this time because we have seen a higher turnout of boys in our previous events. We want to be deliberate about getting girls involved in sports.”

The donation, held at the Gaskiya College, Ijora, Lagos, was accompanied by a basketball clinic, where the girls received training and mentorship from experienced coaches and players.

At the event, Adefeso emphasised the importance of education in addition to sports, stating: “For me, personally, why I started this was because I found myself in the US interviewing LeBron James a few years back. I also wanted to play with or against LeBron James, but that never materialised.

But then through the vehicle of sports journalism, I found myself there. But if I didn’t have education, I wouldn’t have gotten there.”

He said that since its inception, BALL has touched over 2, 000 kids through mentorship programmes, just as it has given out about 300 sports equipment.

Adefeso expressed gratitude to donors, who have supported the organisation’s campaign, saying, “We have tried so far, and God has been kind to us. We have received donations from individuals who believe in our cause.”

He said that the organisation aims to expand its reach and provide more opportunities for young people to develop their skills in various