As Nigerian basketball continues to produce talents making their mark around the world, one challenge remains impossible to ignore: the need to invest in the coaches responsible for developing the next generation.
That is the driving force behind the PACE Coaches Clinic, a free basketball coaching development programme returning for its third edition in Lagos and Enugu featuring an Elite 20 Camp.
Hosted by Smart Sport Foundation and powered by Home Court Africa, the two-day clinic will bring together local and international basketball experts to train hundreds of coaches in modern basketball techniques, player development, safeguarding, leadership, personal development and global best practices.
The programme will take place in Enugu State on July 28th & 29th and Lagos State on August 1st & 2nd, with a target of over 400 coaches overall alongside the player development camp for the Elite 20 young athletes.
Unlike competitions that celebrate the finished athlete, PACE focuses on the people behind every successful player, the coaches.
“When you train one coach, you don’t just impact one individual. You influence every athlete that coach will mentor for years to come. Investing in coaches is one of the fastest ways to improve the standard of basketball in Nigeria.”
PACE has steadily grown since its debut in 2022. The second edition in 2024 welcomed 188 participants in Abuja, while the 2025 Lagos edition recorded 158 registrations with an impressive 86% retention across both days. This year’s edition is expected to be the biggest yet, expanding to Enugu and reaching even more coaches across the country.
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Beyond classroom sessions, participants will benefit from practical demonstrations, mentorship opportunities, networking and exposure to internationally recognised coaching methodologies designed to improve player development at the grassroots level.
Building Basketball from the Ground Up
The clinic reflects the mission of the Smart Sport Foundation, whose belief is simple: every child deserves access to sport regardless of their background.
Through initiatives that remove barriers to participation and invest in community development, the Foundation continues to use basketball as a tool for education, inclusion and opportunity. PACE is one of its flagship programmes, translating that vision into measurable impact through coach education and athlete development.
Home Court Africa: Delivering Athlete-Led Impact
Execution of the programme is led by Home Court Africa, a new vertical under SWA Sports tailored to focus on basketball development impact at the grassroot level, powered by the global Africa diaspora. HCA is an initiative of SWA Sports, built on years of experience delivering sports development solutions in Africa.
Working alongside athletes, coaches and partners from the global basketball community, Home Court Africa creates programmes that strengthen local ecosystems while opening new opportunities for African talent.
More Than a Clinic
For Smart Sport, PACE is not simply another basketball event. It is a long-term investment in the people who shape the future of the game.
Every coach who attends leaves equipped to positively influence dozens, and often hundreds, of young athletes throughout their career. As Nigeria seeks to strengthen its position as one of Africa’s leading basketball nations, initiatives like PACE represent an important step toward building sustainable excellence from the grassroots upward.
Registration for the Coaches Clinic is free, and basketball coaches, PE teachers, academy owners, school coaches and other stakeholders are encouraged to participate.
About PACE Coaches Clinic
PACE (Player and Coach Empowerment) is an annual basketball development initiative committed to improving the quality of basketball coaching in Nigeria through education, mentorship and international collaboration. Since its launch, the programme has trained coaches while creating pathways for athlete development across multiple states.
Execution Team Contact
SWA Sports / Home Court Africa
Email: [email protected]
Website: swasports.com
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