It was all smiles at the Ilupeju Basketball Court, Lagos as five players were awarded scholarships at the end of the third edition of the Ajayi Elebire Elites Basketball camp which ended on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.
The camp, comprising of 60 players and 15 coaches saw the best five players getting scholarships to a school in the United States of America.
According to the founder of AEE, Olalekan Ajayi, he decided to start the NGO so as to keep the memory of his father, Babatunde Elebire Ajayi, who died in 2020, while also using the opportunity to give back to the society that made him.
The former D’Tigers player said he has been able to facilitate the movement of 10 players already from the first two editions of the camp and another five will join them soon.
Speaking further, he said his mission is to help change the narratives such as poverty, social immobility, and unemployment that exist across many societies around the world.
He also lamented the inability of him to have the event in Ekiti his home state as the state cannot be proud of a single outdoor court.
“A whole state does not have two, three outdoor where you can say you want to run a camp to give back to the community,” he said.
“That’s despicable. So I came to Lagos. Lagos is my second home. Ekiti is my first home. So that’s why I brought the camp back here where it started from. And then the scholarship is gonna be given to Lagosians. You know, I mean, if Ekiti state does not have a court, I have to give it to the people that are ready, heaven help those who help themself.”
Also speaking at the event, one of the scouts who came in with Ajayi, Brooklyn Nets Scout and co-founder of Giants of Africa, Godwin Owingie, described the camp as a great one.
He added: “Lekan has come a long way with regards to doing this camp. And I’m really proud of him for it. The 10 players have represented Lekan very well out there and I am sure the new five are going to do the same.
“Not all players can make it to the NBA, but by also giving them education, I am very sure they are going to make it big in life.”
