Basketball

NBBF passes vote of confidence on Brown, Otis as National Team handlers

Published

3 years ago

August 18, 2021

Interested coaches interested in handling the Nigerian National Basketball teams have been asked to join in the future development of the teams as the leadership of the Nigeria Basketball Federation has passed a vote of confidence on Mike Brown and Otis Hughley who manage D’Tigers and D’Tigress respectively.

Fresh from the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, the federation led by Engr Musa Kida said the federation has full confidence in the technical and tactical abilities of the two elite coaches to come good in line with the long term objectives of the federation.

With Brown having signified his intention to lead the D’Tigers to the 2021 FIBA Afrobasket starting on the 24th of August in Rwanda, Kida said the Golden State Warriors coach has shown immense passion and dedication to Nigerian basketball.

“I have full confidence in Mike Brown because it just goes beyond the technical side of coaching the National team. Mike Brown has shown that he is passionate about the interest of Nigerians, Nigerian basketball and also interested in making Africa look good.”

For the federation, his stay goes beyond the Olympics which is just a stepping stone to greater targets.

“For me, this is long term. This is not something that can ferment in just one day and be ripe. So, I have full confidence in him, in his commitment and passion for Nigerian basketball and also his intention to make things better”.

Kida praised Coach Brown for his maturity and enviable level of resilience in dealing with the unpalatable experiences while handling the team during the Olympics in Tokyo.

“What we all went through at the Olympics did not discourage him and that even makes me respect him much more than before. For him to understand that this is something he has never experienced; maybe only imagined. Those things that actually happened to him were very strange but he took all that in his good strides and we are still striving together.”

On the future of Coach Otis with the D’Tigress, he observed that Otis has shown resilience and the team can only get better.

“He is always looking for ways to make things better. He is still our women’s head coach and we still have the full confidence we had in him. He has not let us down in any way and adapted to all the various circumstances coming all the way from Spain (FIBA World Cup)”, Kida concluded.

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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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