Basketball

Mark D Ball: Teams Storm Abuja for Elite 8 Final

Published

3 years ago

June 14, 2022

The eight teams that progressed from Round of 16 phase of the 2022 Mark D Ball Men’s Basketball Championships have all arrived in Abuja, ahead of the eagerly anticipated round, chistened Elite Eight, which starts on Wednesday, June 15, 2022.

The eight teams arrived side by side technical officials that have been mobilized to ensure the smooth and hitch free tournament, now in its buisness end.

The eight elite teams will from Wednesday’s Jump Balls at the Indoor Sports Hall, located in Package B of the MKO Abiola National Stadium Abuja, showcase intense rivalry, and the best of elite domestic basketball, as never seen in Nigeria, since 2017.

All eyes will be on Nigeria Customs, who are on paper the favourites to overcome Delta Force of Asaba, in Game 1 of Matchday 1.

Victory for the Customs men team, will surely put them on course to emulate their ladies who won the women’s edition.
In other Day-1 games, Gombe Bulls will sweat it out with Kwara Falcons of Ilorin; while the only team with a 100% win record, so far in the competition, Mo Heat will clash with the youngsters of FCT HardRockers, in a mouth watering Abuja derby.

Underdogs, Hot Coal Ballers of Abuja will then have to battle the odds, when taking on gaints, Kano Pillars in the last game of matchday 1.

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Basketball

Bauchi FA Chairman Patrick Pascal Honoured at Be Happy Basketball Tournament

Published

2 months 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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