Sarah Ogoke Backs NSC’s Diaspora Talent Drive Ahead of Landmark UK Event
Former D’Tigress captain, Dr. Sarah Ogoke, has expressed her excitement ahead of the Nigeria Diaspora Talents Development Committee (NDTDC) Multi-Sport Showcase, describing the event as a landmark initiative that will strengthen Nigeria’s talent development pipeline.
The historic event is scheduled to hold on Friday, July 17, at the Hertfordshire Games Village in the United Kingdom, bringing together talented athletes of Nigerian descent for a unique opportunity to connect with the country’s sports development programme.
The showcase represents the culmination of a strategic initiative by the National Sports Commission (NSC) to expand its grassroots sports development efforts by identifying, nurturing and integrating talented Nigerian athletes living abroad into Team Nigeria.
The Commission’s renewed focus on engaging the diaspora is aimed at ensuring that gifted athletes of Nigerian heritage have a clear pathway to represent the country at international competitions.
Dr. Ogoke, the only African basketball player to have won the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title five times and currently Vice-Chairman of the NDTDC, said she was proud to contribute to the growth of Nigerian basketball and give back to the nation that shaped her career.
“It was an honour representing Nigeria. Wearing the green and white colours gave me so much pride and also increased my visibility globally. I will always be glad to support the growth of basketball in Nigeria.
Our assignment is to let these players in the diaspora know that it pays to represent Nigeria,” she said.
Speaking on the significance of the London showcase, Ogoke described it as the beginning of a long-term project designed to build lasting relationships with athletes and their families across the Nigerian diaspora.
“I am incredibly honoured and excited to lead the basketball initiative of the Team Nigeria Diaspora Committee.
The London Showcase on the 17th is about much more than identifying talented players; it’s about building meaningful relationships with athletes and families across the diaspora and creating a clear pathway to represent Nigeria at the highest level.
“This is just the beginning. Our long-term vision is to establish a sustainable global network that discovers, develops and supports world-class Nigerian talents, ensuring the future of Nigerian basketball remains among the very best in the world.”
The one-day event, scheduled to run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., will feature talent exhibitions and assessments across basketball, football, athletics, taekwondo, netball, table tennis and golf, underscoring the National Sports Commission’s commitment to harnessing the vast potential of Nigerians in the diaspora for the continued growth and success of the nation’s sports.
