Basketball

Air Warriors Remembers Late Coach Saratu Luga

Published

5 years ago

May 18, 2020

On this day, a year ago the basketball community was thrown into mourning following the announcement of the death of one of the most promising female basketball coach in Nigeria has ever seen.

Saratu Luga, ‘World Coach’ as she was popularly called started the game of basketball as a player in her days in the higher institutions and then at AHIP foundation in Kano from 2004-2007, after which she earned the team Captainship, she then graduated to the position of the Assistant Coach in the AHIP basketball Club, Kano. AHIP basketball club is in the National Basketball Federation (NBBF) Zenith Female Basketball League.

She has coached the following teams thereafter, Head Coach for Air Warriors basketball Club of Abuja (Female team) and Assistant Coach for the male team. Head Coach for City Sparks female basketball team Abuja and Coach on the Jr NBA Power Forward project, Abuja.

Coach Saratu Luga was killed in a car accident by a drunken Medical Doctor around the CBN Headquarters in Abuja and seven persons lost their lives in the accident.
The chairman of Air Warriors, Abdulmajid Solademi, pay tribute to late Saratu while calling on the basketball community and stakeholders to support the family.

‘’We lost a young and super talented icon, Coach Saratu Luga, we can proudly say, her leadership skills and commitments inspired our female team to lift 2019 National Women’s basketball league title in our debut season’’.

‘’Some truth in life is hard to accept. Your departure is one of those hard truths. Your memories will never be forgotten, I also urged the basketball family to always support the family she has left behind’’.

According to the Project Manager Power Forward, Terfa Akpoyibo said Saratu Luga will always be remembered for her tremendous contribution in developing young talents for the country.

‘’We will remember Saratu for her great role in the game because she loved her job and embraced it with passionately, she impacted the lives of the children in a positive way and we will continue to remember for all what she did to improve the game at the grassroots’’.

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Basketball

Bauchi FA Chairman Patrick Pascal Honoured at Be Happy Basketball Tournament

Published

2 weeks 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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