Basketball

Our Priority Is To Have At least One Basketball Tournament Every Month- Udoh

Published

6 years ago

October 12, 2020

Joel Ajayi

One of the organizers and the owner of the Hot Coal Basketball Club in the Federal Capital Territory Ubon Udoh have said that his priority will be hosting at least one tournament in the capital city every month.

He stated this at the final of the first edition of the Fireball basketball tournament where his team lost to narrowly to the Area One Basketball club in Abuja weekend.

He expressed what we are trying is to strengthen youth basketball we have a plan to at least have one tournament every month and I will ensure my team participates at all this tournament.

Speaking about the game “It was a good tournament, it’s amazing the youngest team even won the tournament, this is why we do this thing, we have identified 2 or more talents that can definitely make a mark at National Under-16 level, we are going to make a case for them as try and get them some exposure, its amazing final three points game very close it really wonderful.

“Though my team lost that is basketball, if you don’t take the opportunity when you have it, you lose the game, we were the favorites for the tournament but like I said they did not make use of the opportunity so they miss it and of course this is home for a champion they have the supports from their fans, they have the momentum, and they tap into it and it work for them, we have to congratulate them.

When asked what will be the next move for the team? He replied, “My team is already playing in the Abuja city league, we have to register them already for National division One and this tournament is going to be an annual event so, that every year we are going to bring people together for the Fireball tournament emphasis for the younger players.”

An elated young organizer, Ruby Abalaka, said: “It was a very tough game at one point they were just going neck-to-neck and they were basically on a tie for the last 2 quarters, it was amazing the crowd was happy, the voltage was high, everybody was passionate about the game.

“Next edition we have a lot of ideas, innovation to improve on the game we are going to have a meeting and plan the next edition better we have something that we have noted them to improve on the edition.”

She said with the outcome of the game the objective of the game has been achieved: “as you can see there are a lot of people that could be doing worse things on the street, at this moment but they are watching or even play on the court aside that some players have been scouted, many will make it to the National team for trial.

“We are going to have more teams coming up, more games, we are going to have one on one coming up, we are going to have some shoot out, slam-done competition, we are going to have a lot more in the next edition.” She promised.

As for the Young Progressive Party YPP representatives, Mr. Bameyi said: “the purpose of coming to the program was the sealed gear toward raising a new breed and our focus is young people so we want to catch them young so that Nigeria can become a better country in the nearest future that why we are investing in the youth.”

Share on Facebook

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

Share on Facebook