AUN hosted the ‘Next in Line’ Africa Basketball League from September 17th to 21st, 2024. The ‘Next in Line’ initiative, sponsored by the United States Embassy, aims at empowering young leaders and shaping the lives of the next generation by providing them with opportunities both on and off the basketball court.
The event brought together young players from Numan, Lamurde, Yola South, Yola North, and Girei, offering them the rare opportunity to experience professional-level basketball facilities in AUN. The league's mission goes beyond athletic development. It also teaches participants the importance of balancing education with sport, leadership, and discipline to chase their dreams.
AUN basketball coach Ahmed Abba highlighted the importance of integrating sports with academics, especially in the American style of education. He asserts that there is a connection between sports and education, both of which contribute to the holistic development of students. He maintained that youths should understand that they can excel in both areas and do not have to choose between academics and athletics. "We take immense pride in what we do because it's not just about teaching them basketball. It's about showing these future leaders that they can have fun, be active, and still achieve academic success."
AUN's state-of-the-art basketball facilities provided an ideal venue for the league, giving participants the chance to compete on a prestigious platform. For many of them, it was their first exposure to such high-level resources.
Tolu Alabi, Founder of ‘Next in Line’, said, "We are dedicated to shaping the future of these children, not only as basketball players but also as individuals with enormous potential for academic and personal development. The AUN Management has been incredibly supportive, granting us access to their basketball court and backing our efforts to teach the kids how to balance academics with sports."
Participants from a variety of backgrounds described the league as a profoundly inspiring and life-changing experience that showed them how basketball can be a gateway to achieving their broader ambitions.
Reported by Pwagreno Blessing Moris