Basketball
BetKing Wheelchair Basketball 3×3 National Championship to Jump Off in April
The highly anticipated BetKing Wheelchair Basketball 3×3 National Open Championship is set to take place at the Lake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta, Ogun State, from April 3 to 4, 2025.
The championship, backed by BetKing’s sponsorship, marks a major boost for wheelchair basketball, which is rapidly growing into one of Nigeria’s premier para-sports.
Speaking ahead of the event, the President of the Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation (NWBF) expressed profound gratitude to BetKing for their unwavering support.
“On behalf of Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball, the entire board, and every stakeholder in the sport, I want to personally appreciate BetKing for all they are doing. When we approached them, it felt as though they were already expecting us. Their immediate willingness to support us shows they truly understand Nigeria’s sports history and the vital role Special Sports have played in the country’s international successes over the years,” he said.
The NWBF President emphasized the need for greater corporate involvement in para-sports, noting that such partnerships complement the government’s ongoing efforts to restructure and revitalize Nigerian sports.
With the National Sports Commission (NSC) leading reforms, he called on more organizations to follow BetKing’s example by investing in adaptive sports.
The championship also serves as an important avenue to scout players for the national team, as Nigeria gears up for the Commonwealth Games qualifiers later this year in South Africa.
The President expressed optimism about Nigeria’s chances of securing a historic spot at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, crediting BetKing’s support for helping the team build momentum.
The BetKing Wheelchair Basketball 3×3 National Open Championship will feature elite wheelchair basketball players from across the country, showcasing their skills and resilience in a competition that promotes inclusivity and celebrates athletic excellence. Fans and sports enthusiasts are encouraged to attend and witness the thrilling display of talent and determination.
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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