Basketball

Plateau, M2 Academy Clash in Final as CDS U-18 Democracy Day Basketball Tournament Ends in Abuja

Published

1 year ago

June 18, 2025

By Joel Ajayi

As the curtain falls on the second edition of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Democracy Day U-18 Basketball Tournament, all eyes will be on the grand finale today Wednesday in Abuja where Plateau State will take on the high-flying M2 Academy in what promises to be an electrifying encounter.

The 5days tournament organized to commemorate Nigeria’s Democracy Day and promote youth engagement through sports, has witnessed thrilling displays of talent and teamwork from budding basketball stars across the country.

Both Plateau and M2 Academy have shown resilience, skill, and determination throughout the competition, earning their spots in the final through hard-fought victories.

M2 Academy, known for their fast-paced and tactical style, will be hoping to outclass a physically dominant Plateau side that has wowed fans with their aggressive play and defensive discipline.

Trophies, medals, and individual awards will be presented at the end of today’s final to recognize outstanding performers, including Most Valuable Player, Best Defender, and Top Scorer.

As Plateau and M2 Academy square off at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Package B, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, fans can expect an action-packed finale that underscores the rising potential of youth basketball in Nigeria.

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