Basketball
Oyo, Delta Emerge BetKing 3×3 WheelChair Nat’l Champions
Oyo and Delta states’ men and women have emerged champions of the 2023 BetKing 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball National Championship which was held at the outdoor Sports Hall of Alake Sports Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun state.
Oyo state defeated Lagos state 10-1 to lift the trophy in the men’s category while Delta state defeated Oyo state 3-2 to win the women’s category.
Osun state came down from three points to beat Abuja 7-5 to seal third position in the men’s category while Imo state pummeled Kwara state 5-1 to settle for third position in the women’s category.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, President of Wheelchair Basketball Federation of Nigeria, Mr Seyi Johnson said the championship was an opportunity for the players to get an opportunity to represent Nigeria at the African Para Games in Ghana next September.
He said the current board is working round the clock in ensuring Nigeria returns to its rightful position in Africa.
Johnshon said, “The current board plans to leave a legacy in Wheelchair Basketball; the journey has been tedious but we are optimistic of making a mark. We are ready to organise various championships across the country. Wheelchair Basketball will make Nigeria proud and will be a thing of joy as well as pride to sports in this country.
“Impossibility is not in my dictionary and I got the philosophy from my boss, Hon Bukola Olopade. He told me when people say there is no way, I should create a part and I think I am creating a way in Wheelchair Basketball.”
He said, “Ahead of the African Para Games in Ghana, the national coaches are on ground to monitor the players and sports talents. After two weeks of rest, the players will resume camp because our dream is to attend the Para Games and qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. We have identified our weak links and want to work on them before the African Para Games.
Meanwhile, winners in both categories went home with a trophy and N500, 000; first runners-up pocketed N300,000 while second runners-up went home with N200,000.
Basketball
Fresh Ideas, Science Needed to Revitalise Basketball —ABA
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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