Basketball

FIBA AWBL: Onikeku Lauds Customs CG For His Commitment To Sports Devt

Published

3 years ago

December 19, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The Sports Secretary of Nigeria Customs Service, Samuel Onikeku has heaped huge praises on the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for his commitment and support to the development of the sports.

Nigeria Representative at Just concluded 2023 Africa Women Basketball League AWBL, Nigeria Customs Service Female Basketball team celebrating their 5th position in the Continent after rout Equity Bank Hawks of Kenya 83-53 on Tuesday in Cairo, Egypt.

He gave this commendation on Tuesday at the just concluded 2023 FIBA Africa Women Basketball League AWBL in Alexandria Egypt, where Nigeria Representative Customs Service female team came 5th in the continent

The Athletic Federation of Nigeria AFN Secretary thanked and congratulated the NCS female team for their exploit at AWBL who defeated Equity Bank Hawks of Kenya 83-53 to win 5th position.

Speaking after the game, an excited Onikeku attributed the success recorded to the support and commitment of Comptroller-General Adeniyi and management.

According to him. for the Nigeria Customs Service female basketball team 5 out of 10 teams in the continent is a thing of joy to us and the service, I want to appreciate the CG and the management for sponsoring the trip, I want to appreciate the DCG Commander in charge of sports for the assistant and indeed to entire team coaches, players doctor and everybody that work hard for us to get this result

“Twenty-three years ago was the last time we played continental but coming here playing 7 matches winning 4 lost 3 is a positive sign that once we prepare more and qualify on time we will be able to do better than this.

“NCS hosted zone 3 qualifiers and it was full of commendations everybody was happy that NCS hosted it if not there wouldn’t be any representative from Nigeria.”

The clubs that participated include; CNSS Basketball Club (Dr. Congo), Equity Bank (Kenya) Inter Clubs (Angola) 5 times Champions, KPA (Kenya), Overdose Up Station (Cameroun), REG (Rwanda Energy Group), Sporting of Alexandria (Egypt) Host University of Douala (Cameroun) Customs Service ASPAC of Benin Republic,

Out of ten teams in the continent, borders ladies placed in 5th position

In their first game against the University of Duoala of Cameroon, the Nigeria Customs Service Female Basketball team beat the Cameroonians in group A with the game ending 57-46

KPA of Kenya defeated CNS 73-53 in the second game.

The Customs team also lost to the sporting of Alexandria Egypt 96-57.

The fourth game witnessed a turnaround as the customs team beat CNSS Basketball Club (Dr. Congo 66-57.

Nigeria’s representative, Customs also lost in the quarterfinal to Inter Clubs of Angola 65-89

Also, Customs ladies beat Overdose Up Station Cameroun 67-58 to qualify for 5-6 placement.

The last game went in favor of the Custom team beating Equity Bank Hawks of Kenya in 5-6 placement with

At the end of the one week intense tournament Defending champion, Egypt’s Alexandria Sporting successfully defended the title after beating Kenya Ports Authority KPA103-59

Share on Facebook

Basketball

Fresh Ideas, Science Needed to Revitalise Basketball —ABA

Published

6 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