As the basketball event at the 2020 National Sports Festival gets underway today, (Wednesday, 7th, April) in Benin, D’Tigers Assistant Coach, Ogoh Odaudu has set his sights on assembling the next best set of players from the home front.
Odaudu noted that with the abundance of basketball talents within Nigeria, spotting players suitable for the current D’Tigers setup during their Olympics preparation as well as FIBA AFROCAN should not be a difficult task.
He believes that the NSF is the perfect platform for the next generation of superstars to showcase themselves for the world to see.
“Everywhere you go, there are people playing pick-up basketball everywhere. Now, this is an opportunity to see all of them gather in one spot trying to vie for honors.
“I believe the federation in their wisdom know that this is an avenue to go out and pick people who are emerging stars in the country right now, players who can make an impact”, Odaudu stated.
The former Nigerian international, currently in charge of Rivers Hoopers of Port Harcourt revealed that his intention is to look for players who are talented enough and can blend in, if given a chance in the national team.
“Do not forget that there is also the AFROCAN tournament which is the Cup of Nations for African players plying their trade within the continent of Africa. If it comes up again because of this COVID issue, this is the same pool that we are going to be looking at to pick players from, so I think it is proper not to let that come up before we start rushing or start asking around for who is good enough to do what”, Odaudu concluded.
Having arrived in Benin where 14 states are currently vying for honors at the Emotan College within the ancient city, Odauda said recruiting players who could be given an opportunity at the Olympics camp and readily available in the event that the AFROCAN comes up later this year will be his ultimate priority.
