Basketball

16 Teams, Academies Set for Action as CDS Democracy Day Basketball Tournament Tips Off Saturday

Published

1 year ago

June 11, 2025

By Joel Ajayi

No fewer than 16 teams and basketball academies are set to feature in the second edition of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Democracy Day Under-18 Basketball Championship for boys and girls, scheduled to begin this Saturday, June 13th, 2025, in Abuja.

The championship, tagged the Under-18 Championship, is designed as a platform to inspire, empower, and nurture young basketball talents across Nigeria, while promoting unity and peaceful coexistence.

The week-long tournament will run from June 13 to 18, 2025, at Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

The participating teams—10 male and 6 female—are drawn from across the North Central zone, including state teams from Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Basketball academies and club teams such as Apo Settlers, Gilali, Suba, TNT, M2, and N-Youth will also be competing.

At a press briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday the Chairman of the Organising Committee, retired Brigadier-General Aliyu Abdullahi, noted that the championship is expected to have a positive and lasting impact on Nigerian youth.

He said the tournament—themed “Encouraging Grassroots Basketball Talents”—aims to discover, develop, and showcase young players for potential opportunities at national and international levels.

General Abdullahi highlighted that the initiative, championed by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, forms part of his non-kinetic strategy to enhance national security and civil-military relations by engaging youth in meaningful, community-building activities.

“The CDS understands the critical role of Nigeria’s young, vibrant population in national development,” he said. “This tournament is not only about basketball; it’s about promoting peace, inclusion, discipline, and unity through sport.”

Unlike the maiden edition, this year’s championship will feature both male and female teams, reflecting the CDS’s commitment to gender inclusion and equality in youth development programs.

“This event promises top-tier basketball action, fun-filled activities, and the chance for young players to win medals, trophies, and other prizes,” Brig.-Gen. Abdullahi added.

“Beyond competition, the championship offers a unique platform for cultural exchange, friendship, and national bonding among young athletes.”

To ensure transparency and credibility, the National Identification Number (NIN) will be used to verify player eligibility and eliminate age fraud. All games will be officiated in accordance with FIBA rules, ensuring professionalism and fairness throughout the tournament.

In addition to the games, the organizers revealed that the event will feature various side attractions, creating a festive and engaging atmosphere for athletes, officials, and spectators alike.

The CDS Democracy Day Under-18 Basketball Championship continues to serve as a beacon of hope and opportunity for Nigeria’s youth, using sports as a powerful tool for national growth and cohesion.

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Basketball

Fresh Ideas, Science Needed to Revitalise Basketball —ABA

Published

5 days ago

September 27, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

President/Founder, Amateur Basketball Academies, ABA, Aliyu Lucky Abubakar has called for a scientific and pragmatic approach to rediscovering the game of basketball in the North East.

The former player of many teams in Nigeria stated this on Saturday during training of coaches in Yola, Adamawa State.

Aliyu said the training is aimed to arm Coaches so they can, in turn, reach the children, especially those that ABA may not. The Deputy Comptroller in Nigeria Customs Service decried non-challant attitudes of the stakeholders in the development of basketball in the North East.

” Basketball is fading in the North East, and we at ABA will not allow it to die.”

“Adamawa was once a force in the game of basketball but had fallen behind. Our plan is to discover talent through coaching training, nurture it, and carry it from state level to the national team, and eventually, the global stage.” The basketball administrator said.

In his keynote message to the participants, which centered on the theme, “HOPE,” Harnessing opportunity, Organising for excellence, Promoting players’ development, and Empowering the next generation, Aliyu said, is far more than a drill instructors.

” Every child you see on a basketball court has a dream, and it is our job as a coach to spot it early and give it somewhere to go.” He concluded.

In his lecture titled, ” Who is a Coach”, Emmanuel Odah, the head Coach, FCT Basketball and former National Juniors team, described a coach as a committed, organised, affectionate, caring and humble.

” Commitment is consistency, and consistency is mother of progress; humility comes first because a coach who can not control himself can never control a game,” Odah insisted.

Other instructors at the training include ABA head of technical, Coach Adeka Daudu, as well as Coach Alexander Anyebe Ujoh, who spoke about the relationship between a coach and child in his care.

Coaches at the training commended ABA for its boldness to give hopes to basketball coaches all over the country. They promised that lessons learned would reshape and reset their mind on the job. They said the training will help them in understanding their role not only as an instructor but also grooming the children for a better future.

Among guests at the event include FCT Acting Director of Sports, Mr. Iyiola Ogundele and Bayelsa Veteran Basketball administrator, Coach Tony

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