Ugboaja changed my life through basketball–Dauda

[SunNews]

By JOE APU

Seventh edition of the Ejike Ugboaja Foundation camp for basketball and American style football came to a close last Friday at the Indoor Hall of the Abuja National Stadium, Abuja and while many of the kids sat and listened to words of counsel from Seth Miller of the United States of America (USA) Consular section,  praises were showered on the Foundation by one of the first beneficiaries of the camp, Ismaila Dauda.

Dauda, who hails from Edo State, but has lived all his life in Kano, started as an academy player at the Kano Stadium before getting an opportunity to head to America to study and play basketball through the Foundation, said going through High School, Junior College and now heading to Cleveland State University was like a fairy tale for him because basketball had taken him to places he never imagined possible.

"The whole experience for me is so amazing because I never believed that a player as Ejike Ugboaja, whom I'd never met before 2008 could turn around my fortune. Since travelling to America, through the help of the Foundation, I must say that life has positively changed for my family and I. Though, I had some difficult times in my first year with my academics and game, but I've since made great progress and I'm in Nigeria to show other kids that what the Foundation is doing is real."

For Dauda, it only takes a good heart to help people that you have never come across and Ejike Ugboaja is a player with a good heart, who is looking beyond basketball but spending his funds to hold camps in Nigeria just to give other players an opportunity to excel like him.

So many of the kids, according to Dauda, are making it in America today in academics as well as basketball and American football. "Being a part of the first group of players that went to America, I can tell you that a good number of us are doing well in school and the games we're involved in. For me particularly, I knew that such opportunities don't come easy and I needed to remain a good ambassador, so that other kids, whose parents are not financially capable could also benefit. I now know that Nigeria has players who can be of help to the game".

On his future plans, Dauda says he looks forward to returning home to play for the Nigeria because this is where he started. "My basketball started here in Nigeria and I intend to return home and play for D' Tigers at appropriate time to help out and look forward to giving my best."

Aside from playing for Nigeria in the very near future, Dauda says he prays God to bless his career, so that he can give back to others as Ejike Ugboaja is doing. "Not many people understand what is happening here. There are so many players in Nigeria who don't have the opportunity of going to school, but play basketball and this Foundation has really helped them get athletic scholarships that has changed their lives. Personally, I cannot forget what I've benefited from  the programme and I pray that someday, I should be able to do the same for other kids and help them go to schools.

The Nigerian forward has finally seen his dream of playing D1 ball come true as he made a commitment to Cleveland State University. Currently averaging 14 points per game, Dauda has graduated from Polk State College in the spring, giving him two more years of eligibility at Cleveland State. In regard to his game, Dauda is a well rounded player, who has the skill and ability to be a threat on both ends of the court. He was named MVP in the Ejike Ugboaja camp in 2008.

Via: Sun News Online