American Cola launches Ilupeju Creative Court with sports contests

American Cola, produced by Planet Bottling Company, has launched the American Cola Creative Court in Ilupeju, Lagos, as part of a broader initiative to promote grassroots basketball and foster community engagement. The unveiling ceremony took place in collaboration with the Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA). The event included the presentation of new jerseys to the male and female basketball teams of the LCDA, along with the launch of the second edition of the American Cola Shoot the Hoop and Half Court tournaments. The renovated court is being positioned as a multi-functional space that supports both sports and creative expression among youth in the region. The American Cola Creative Court replaces the previously existing basketball facility, which has undergone extensive renovations to transform it into a modern, multi-use space. According to officials from Planet Bottling Company, the initiative goes beyond mere infrastructure improvements. Marketing Manager Naji Awada emphasized that the project aims to reignite interest in basketball within the community and identify emerging talents. “This project is not about paint, new hoops, or putting up a logo on that fence,” he stated. “It’s about renewing the passion for basketball, bringing talent into this court, and hopefully seeing stars because of this court.” He added that the company plans to expand similar projects to other areas in the future. Franklyn Eluagu, the Communications Manager of Planet Bottling Company, outlined the company's global commitment to supporting basketball. “For American Cola globally, the countries that we belong to love basketball,” he said. “We are identifying basketball communities across Lagos and looking for ways to improve facilities and create better conditions for players.” The initiative includes not just sports-related upgrades but also spaces for artistic and cultural activities, allowing individuals interested in graffiti, music, and dance to contribute to the court's aesthetic appeal. The project has already drawn attention from the local community, with residents from neighboring local governments attending the event. Chairman of the Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, Oduwoye, noted that the facility has become a hub of activity since its opening. “It has already started benefiting the people of Ilupeju,” he remarked. “We have a lot of fans here today, and it’s not only from Odi-Olowo, we have people from other local governments also coming to use this pitch.” He described the court as a standard outdoor sporting space equipped with fitness amenities, highlighting the positive impact of the partnership on the local community. The unveiling coincided with the second edition of the American Cola Shoot the Hoop and Half Court tournaments, which saw participation from 24 teams in each category. Some matches were played during the event itself, with teams competing for a total prize pool of ₦5 million. The top-performing team in the Shoot the Hoop competition will receive ₦800,000, while the second and third-place finishers will take home ₦400,000 and ₦200,000 respectively. In the Half Court tournament, the winning team will be awarded ₦2 million, with the runners-up receiving ₦1 million and the third-place team getting ₦500,000. Leadership from the Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA expressed satisfaction with the project's early success. Leader of the Legislative House of the LCDA, Olamilekan Adeyi, noted that the partnership has already benefited the youth in the area. “We have lots of participants here, and from other local governments coming to use this court,” he said. “For us, it is a thing of pride to the local government that American Cola has deemed it fit to partner with us, with the local government taking the youths out of the streets through this and other sports.” The American Cola Creative Court is expected to continue serving as a focal point for youth development and community interaction. With ongoing tournaments and planned expansions, the initiative reflects a growing corporate interest in nurturing local talent and fostering inclusive environments for young people across Lagos.