Basketball

southeast zone condemns withdrawal from international basketball

Published

3 years ago

May 26, 2022

The South East Basketball Association representing all the South East basketball chairmen has condemned the withdrawal of Nigerian basketball from international competitions. The zone made up of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo commiserates with all players local and abroad that the actions of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare have and will affect.

For a fact, the Nigerian national teams are dominated by South East players. Hence, the withdrawal will adversely affect the zone. Without any contradiction, the South East Basketball association is 100 per cent behind the Nigeria Basketball Federation and its President, Musa Ahmadu Kida who in the last four years have built an enviable basketball dynasty.

It is no mean feat that D’Tigers and D’Tigress have become the two best teams in Africa and the top 10 globally, which calls to question the Minister’s decision to suspend the best sports federation in Nigeria?

The only federation to qualify the men’s and women’s teams for the 2020 Olympics built the most robust grassroots program in the history of the game with the first-ever Division One and Two tournaments sponsored by TotalEnergies Nigeria.

It has also been the first-ever time the South East as a block participated in any grassroots event and the first time a South East team, ‘Coal city Miners’ featured in the premier league ‘THE PRESIDENTS CUP’.

The South East believes the actions of the minister are politically motivated, a witch hunt, and not a sports-related decision as all excuses lack any justifications cooked up as a defence to the withdrawal.

Hence, the South East will not support or participate in any ‘manufactured’ programs from the Federal Ministry of Sports.

It is already well known that they have sent their co-conspirator acolytes of the Igoche Mark group to raise fake teams to participate in phantom events on behalf of the South East.

The South East will be convening an urgent meeting to find creative ways to keep our players engaged and motivated during what will be a gloomy period for Nigerian basketball.

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Basketball

Bauchi FA Chairman Patrick Pascal Honoured at Be Happy Basketball Tournament

Published

2 months ago

January 21, 2025

The Gleamer

Bauchi State Football Association Chairman, Patrick Pascal, was honored at the recently concluded Be Happy Basketball Tournament in Bauchi. The annual event, sponsored by former basketball international Danjuma Maijama’a Wunti, brought together over 13 basketball teams from across Nigeria for a week of exciting competition.

The 2025 edition of the tournament saw Suns Basketball Academy of Jos emerge as champions, clinching the top prize of ₦500,000. Adamawa Stars of Yola finished second, while Mak-Town Flyers of Makurdi claimed third place, earning ₦200,000 for their efforts.

Several standout players received individual accolades:

•   Most Valuable Player (MVP): Rayyan Salis (Suns Basketball Academy, Jos).
•   Most Improved Player: Modupe Lawrence (Mak-Town Flyers, Makurdi).
•   Best Defensive Player: Thomas Abo (Mak-Town Flyers, Makurdi).
•   Highest Scorer: Rayyan Salis (Suns Basketball Academy).
•   Best 3-Point Shooter: Solomon Iliya (Be Happy Stars, Bauchi).

Teams from across Nigeria took part, including Maktown Flyers (Makurdi), Joe Geez (Jos), Adamawa Stars (Yola), Gamji (Maiduguri), Elite Basketball Club (Takum), Suns Basketball Academy (Jos), Abba Gida Gida (Kano), Katsina United (Katsina), D Block Basketball Club (Kaduna), Yankari Kings (Bauchi), The Cubs Basketball Club (Bauchi), and Be Happy Stars (Bauchi).

Speaking on his recognition, Patrick Pascal expressed gratitude to the tournament sponsor, Danjuma Maijama’a Wunti, for his commitment to youth empowerment and development through sports. He praised the players for their remarkable display of skill and teamwork throughout the competition, highlighting the event’s importance in fostering talent and unity.

The Be Happy Basketball Tournament continues to grow in stature as a major platform for discovering and nurturing basketball talent across Nigeria.

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