Sports

40 Teams Ready as Maiden ABA League Tips Off in Abuja Saturday

Published

2 months ago

August 28, 2026

Joel Ajayi

All is now set for the inaugural Amateur Basketball Academies, ABA, league, which dunk off Saturday at the Mo Arena Gymnasium, Zone 5, Abuja.The league, which is a pilot test, will host 20 boys and 20 girls’ teams at four different courts at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Basketball courts, Package B, Abuja

In a statement signed on Thursday by Head of Media and Public Relations Amateur Basketball Academies, ABA Kayode Adeniyi in Abuja

The opening day games will feature TNT Boys against Suleja Bulldog as Smart Basketball welcome Tigers Basketball. In the girl’s category, Queens court faces One Ball while Dominion Basketball will spike against Takers Basketball

Briefing Academies Coaches in Abuja, ABA technical officer, Coach Adeka Daudu said 14 matches will be playing daily during the first week of the league, while the second week will witness quarter finals, semi finals and final.

He urged them to see the league as not a win at all cost but a means of identifying talents, player development, coaching improvement, discipline, teamwork, as well as character building.

Addressing Coaches during the technical session, President of the Amateur Basketball Academies, Deputy Comptroller, Nigerian Custom Services, Aliyu Lucky Abubakar said the success of the pilot league depend largely on the coaches’ professionalism, cooperation, discipline and commitment to the development of the players.

Aliyu reminded them that they are not only producing basketball players but also helping to build responsible young Nigerians through basketball.

” I therefore urge all coaches to work together, respect one another, respect officials, uphold the rules of the game, and place the interests of the young athletes above personal interests. Let this league become a model of fairness, excellence, and unity. “

” This parley is also an opportunity to discuss our technical standards, competition structure, player welfare, officiating, coaching ethics, and other issues necessary for a successful pilot programme. Your contributions are valuable, and I encourage constructive engagement. ” He concluded.

Among eminent personalities expected at the opening ceremony include Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, Chairman, National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, Wale Adeniyi, Chairman, FCT Basketball Association and Chairman, All FCT Sports Chairmen, Igwe Ifeanyi Eke, FCT Ag. Director of Sports, Iyiola Ogundele.

Others include Inspector General of Police, Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Services, Director General, Nigerian Television Authority, and so on.

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Sports

Folsa School, GSS Kuje, Others Shine at Inaugural AFFAN Abuja Chapter Relay Race

Published

2 hours ago

October 30, 2026

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

It was an atmosphere of excitement, enthusiasm and healthy competition as close to 300 schoolgirls from 12 schools across the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) participated in the maiden edition of the Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN), Abuja Chapter, Inter-Area Council Junior and Senior Secondary Schools Relay Race.

The competition, held on Friday at the Main Bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, provided a platform for young female athletes to showcase their talents, promote grassroots sports development and encourage greater participation of girls in athletics.

The historic event brought together students from various junior and senior secondary schools across the FCT, with participants competing in different track events, including the 100-metre race,4×100-metre relay, 4×400-metre relay and relay competitions for school girls.

Participating junior secondary schools included JSS Kuje, JSS Hajj Camp, JSS Kwali, JSS Abaji, Government Secondary School (GSS) Gwagwalada and Folsa School.

In the senior secondary category, the participating schools were GSS Kuje, GSS Gwagwalada, GSS Kwali, Total Child School, Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Abaji and Folsa School.

In the junior girls’ 100-metre race, David Jimata of GDSS Kwali emerged winner to claim the gold medal, while Mercy Monday of Total Child School settled for silver. Kudirat Abdulaziz finished third to win bronze.

In the senior girls’ 100-metre event, Patricia Habillah of Folsa School claimed gold, while Mojinatu Sulaiman of Total Child School won silver. Youana of GDSS Abaji secured the bronze medal.

The junior girls’ 4×100-metre relay saw JSS Kuje emerge champions, while JSS Hajj Camp, Gwagwalada, finished second. JSS Kwali took third place.

In the senior girls’ 4×100-metre relay, Folsa School clinched the gold medal, while GDSS Abaji secured silver.

The competition also featured the 4×400-metre relay, with GSS Hajj Camp emerging winners in the junior category, ahead of GSS Kuje, who finished second, while Folsa School claimed third place.

In the senior 4×400-metre relay, Folsa School finished first to win gold, while GSS Gwagwalada secured silver and GSS Kuje settled for bronze.

The maiden competition underscored the importance of providing young girls with opportunities to discover and develop their sporting abilities through organised grassroots competitions.

It also offered participating schools an opportunity to identify promising athletes who could be nurtured for future competitions at national and international levels.

The initiative by AFFAN Abuja Chapter is expected to contribute to the development of female athletics in the FCT while inspiring more young girls to embrace sports and pursue their dreams in athletics.

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