By Ebube Dike

No fewer than 10 students outstanding participants were given scholarship to study and play basketball in the United States of America (USA) and Nigeria in this season at the end of the Yusuf Yakubu All American Basketball Tournament and Camp for Girls.

Two boys and three girls were given United States of America Scholarship as the 3 boys and 2 girls also received scholarships to study in Nigeria.

The basketball tournament which was organised by the Mentoring All Nations Globally Foundation (MANGO INC) saw over 200 boys in the competition tagged Mango basketball clinic while over 350 for the girl child empowerment basketball clinic held at the KadaKings Basketball Courts Ungwan Sunday In Kaduna state recently.

According to the Founder of the MANGO Foundation Yusuf Yakubu while speaking on the foundation annual camp, Yakubu says his foundation would to continue to collaborate with schools in United States of America to expose more Nigerian talents to get scholarship from American colleges and also go on to play in the money spinning America Basketball Association (NBA) league.

“My aim as the founder is to empower kids through MANGO INC Foundation with scholarships to study both in Nigeria and overseas, in conducive academic classrooms, provide good water for the community, empower girl child through sports, academic focus, mental breakdown on how successful every girl child can be , help the girl in boosting their self esteem, be able to provide the necessary provision for widows and widowers all around the globe not just in Nigeria” he said.

The Elizabeth City State University student, Yakubu who is among the National Collegiate Athletic Association(NCAA) commended his coach Shawn Walker for his continuous support to his basketball career.

“Let me also using this medium to appreciate my coach Shawn Walker for all the support and encouragement he has given me in my career so far which has helped me to become a better person worthy of giving back to the society”.

Yakubu also went further to call on ocorporate organisations and individuals to partner with the foundation to provide educational opportunity for more Nigerian youths while commending those who supported the 2020 edition.

“I want to say a very big thank you to all the sponsors that contributed to the success of this year’s edition which are Noah kavah, Sabo Suya lounge, Micah Autos, YBO under wears, IBEJI, DOMINION CITY CHURCH Houston Texas, Pickup USA, kehinde Balogun Houston Texas, feed your game basketball organization, Justice Jude Dagat, Guild of the Global intellectuals, masquerade lounge. Basketball venue facilities: KADA KINGs of kaduna state through the chairman Distinguished mr Ahmed Tijani, May Allah reward you richly Amin”.