Basketball

FIBA Lauds Nigeria Customs For Hosting Zone 3 Africa Basketball Championship

Published

1 year ago

December 3, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The Federation International Basketball Association (FIBA) FIBA has heaped huge praise on Nigeria Customs Service for accepting to host the Zone 3 Africa Basketball Tournament a qualifier for Females in Nigeria’s Nation’s Capital Territory.

The qualifiers tournament will have the host the Nigeria Customs Service team, ASPAC, MFM, and Airwarior teams slugging it out at the beautiful MO Basketball Arena Zone 5 in FCT

The five-day qualifying tourney commences on Saturday, the 2nd, and the technical meeting will end on Wednesday, the 6th of December, 2023.

Speaking at the technical meeting of the tournament held in Abuja on Saturday the President of Africa FIBA Zone 3 Col. Sam Ahmadu who was represented by the Vice President of FIBA Women’s Development of Africa Zone 3, Prof.Florence Adeyanju reaffirmed the FIBA’s commitment to a successful and trouble-free tournament with high expectations.

He called on all the participants to cooperate with the officials and channel their complaints to the right authorities to have a free and fair championship.

“On behalf of the FIBA Africa Zone 3 President, Col. Samuel Ahmadu, I want to thank the host of this competition, the Nigeria Customs Service for this laudable idea to host such an important Championship in Nigeria. As we look forward to a hitch-free tournament, I want to enjoin all the participating teams to cooperate with the organizer and channel their complaint to the right authorities.”

Speaking during the Technical meeting in Abuja on Saturday, the Chairman Local Organizing Committee, LOC and Athletic Federation of Nigeria Secretary, Samuel Onikeku assured of hitch free tournament.

He said that the Nigeria Customs Service women’s basketball team has been prepared and ready to pick one of the tickets to represent the zone in the final round of the qualifier in Egypt.

According to him, at the short notice, we have prepared our team and done everything to ensure they excel. This qualifier is just a stepping stone to Egypt. So, we hope that at the end of this championship, we will be able to qualify to go and represent the zone in Egypt

“This is another opportunity for Nigeria Customs Service to show that they will continuously support sports which underscores our performances in all sporting activities. The championship will bring a lot of attention to Nigeria, especially from the West African region.”

With the attention firmly on the MO basketball Arena, fans are gearing up for a basketball display that will shape the course of these teams’ journeys in the broader realm of women’s Basketball in the region.

However, the FIBA African Zone 3 qualifier promises to be a riveting showcase of skill, determination, and sportsmanship, highlighting the immense talent within the county.

After which two qualified teams will proceed to Cairo in Egypt to complete final round qualifications at the FIBA Africa Women’s Basketball League scheduled to take place in Egypt from December 8 to 17.

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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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