Basketball

Terfa Akpoyibo hail Sam Oguche/Bullet Energy Drink Invitational Tourney

Published

1 year ago

November 18, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The Project Manager of Power Forward Mr Terfa Akpoyibo, has commended Sam Oguche for his constant effort towards basketball development in Nigeria.

Akpoyibo made the remarks while speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the 2023 Sam Oguche/Bullet Energy Drink Invitational Tournament’s final at the Mo Arena in Abuja on Friday.

Akpoyibo noted that the quality of the tournament was top-notch, adding that grassroots basketball was taking shape and developing in the FCT.

The five-day tournament which dunked off on Monday ended on Friday with Gboko City Chiefs defeating Mak Town Flyers basketball club 90-77 in the final to emerge champions.

Gboko City Chiefs smiled to the bank with an N1 million prize money, while Mark Town basketball club settled for the N500,000 runners-up reward.

“The matches were tightly contested and it was a very competitive final game at the end between the two teams.

“What I am really excited about is the number of energetic young people having a platform and opportunity to express themselves.

“If these young people are not on the court, where would they have been?

“Some of them would have been out there engaging in negative vices as the saying goes, ‘an idle mind is the devil’s workshop’.

“So, I am happy because grassroots basketball is taking shape and when you see people train at the grassroots and then they have the opportunity to play professional and more competitive games, it means that the game of basketball is developing,” he said.

The Sports administrator stressed that the tournament was a huge opportunity and a very successful event.

NAN

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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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