How was growing up?I
had a very terrible childhood and because I was not from a very rich
family, growing up for me was really rough and tough. But when I made
it, I didn’t want things to be that tough for other people, that is why I
decided to come up with something that would help achieve that. I
wanted youths with talents to have better education while they follow
their dreams and it has been great so far.
When did your foray into sports begin?I
grew up in a family that loves sports. My mother used to play football
professionally, so I used to go with her for trainings then. So after a
while, with my height, I decided to start playing basketball.
What is the Ejike Ugboaja Foundation all about?The
Foundation started in 2007 and we have been helping a lot of people and
impacting a lot of lives. The project is about encouraging youths to
get educated while they live their sporting dream. Basically it is about
giving sportsmen the opportunity to go to school.
What brought about the project?Being
trained from Nigeria and being in the Nigerian league when I was
drafted, I felt the need to give back to the society I left behind. The
goal is to offer young children the opportunity I never had, but always
wanted when I was their age.
How has the journey been so far as a young player?The
journey has been so smooth and successful, I’ve played in Spain,
Turkey, Ukraine, Poland and many other countries, so it has been the
grace of God and a lot of determination and dedication.
Having come from such background and being here today, what were the hurdles you had to cross back then?It
was really bad, it was about not eating the proper food, not having
good shoes to wear, not having money to do whatever I wanted to do and
not having money for transportation to go for trainings. It was sad not
having everything I wanted, but looking back today, I thank God and that
is why I am giving a lot of opportunities to others to be able to have
what they want.
Many people let their backgrounds influence their focus, what kept you going?Basically,
many people are always about themselves, all they think about is
themselves, they don’t care about helping others, especially having
experienced the same thing. They feel others have to go through all they
did to achieve as well. This is not me, I am all about giving back to
the people.
Life
is all about helping others, if you can help others, do so, not because
of what you will get in return. Because I realised that a lot of
Nigerians won’t help or do something for you if they won’t get anything
in return. Even the Bible preaches it, give to people, not because you
want the glory to come to you, but for God to bless you in return. God
gave you life and everything you own, whatever you have, God made it
happen, so give back.
What are the criteria to be a part of the programme?The
individual has to have transcripts from their school, that is very
important, because it is the major link in getting a scholarship, and it
is open to people between 10 and 25.
It is a huge project, where do you get the financial support?Basically,
all is coming from me, so I am appealing to well meaning Nigerians to
come and assist, because these are our children, we need to invest in
them to take corruption off the streets.
Our
help goes a long way. Once they go to school, their future will be
secured and once the future is secured and they see that people care
about them, they will not be corrupt, they will believe in themselves
and that is why I am begging Nigerians to come and assist them and let
us do it together. Unfortunately, travelling out there, many people
don’t trust Nigerians, once you say that you are from Nigeria, you will
be questioned, but that can be changed by changing and educating our
youths.
You
were the first player to be drafted from Africa by Cleveland Cavaliers
in 2006, what gave the edge and how was the experience?It
took dedications and I also had the privilege to partake in competitions
such as world championships and the commonwealth games that put me out
there and because other people were watching, it was a platform for me
to showcase my talent and that gave it to me. And also God made it
possible for me.
What has been the achievement of the foundation so far?Many
lives have been changed through the foundation. Thousands of people
have been influenced positively because they are going to school and
living their dreams. In the next years, they can come out and lead the
nation with a good mindset. A lot of the boys are graduating from the
best universities abroad and most of them are going into NBA, which is
their aim.
Do you have affiliations with these higher institutions abroad?Yes,
I have affiliations with some and others, I have to pay, but the likes
of University of Miami, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Greenforest
High School and many others, offer scholarships.
Educational backgroundI attended Government College, Kaduna, Kaduna Polytechnic and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where I studied Economics.
You grew up in the North, What is your view about the crisis there now?Sincerely, I wish everything will be resolved soon.
How do you think basketball can be improved in Nigeria They
are already improving, although they still need other facilities to get
more improved, as well as more sponsors. Good coaches need to go for
coaching courses to improve, as this will also tell on the players.
Words for aspiring sports persons?They need to work hard and believe in their games and be humble.
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