Basketball

Traditional Ruler Vows To Use Sports To Lift Many Youth

Published

1 year ago

December 20, 2023

…As Pledges To reclaim converted Basketball Sites In FCT

Joel Ajayi

The Newly ambassador of Global Peace Advocacy And Empowerment Initiative GPAEI, His Royal Highness Udumeze 111 Of Lokpanta Eze Sir Ifeanyi Eke has promised to lift and give hope to many hopeless young Nigerians through empowerment in sports especially the game of basketball, thereby vowed to reclaim all the converted basketball site in the Federal Capital Territory.

An icon of hope, a Philanthropist, a mentor, and a life patron of the GPAEI/NDLEA War Against Drug Abuse Campaign, Sir Eke made this promise on Wednesday in Abuja when he was named ambassador of GPAEI.

According to him, I have put a memo on the table of the Minister of FCT to recover all the basketball sites in FCT and equally to rehabilitate them basketball sites in all parts of the FCT as the case may be

“Once we engage the youth in doing sports not only basketball but even football, youth must be gainfully engaging, if you don’t engage them issues of drug abuse are not going to stop because it’s a societal issue and if society doesn’t frown at it the thing will continue.

“So my main aim is to go to grassroots and engage the youth, if we can engage them gainfully with sports after school by providing enable environment that will enable them to have clubs that can use to mentor them.

“If the youth are not mentored very well then there is a problem.

“That is why I am using sports as a tool and one of the sports I want to use is basketball the game I love and the game I played to advance many youth in the country.”

He, however, called on all the players to keep off the drugs and alcohol that will not do them any good but damage their life

“I want to use this medium to call on all players to shun all forms of the drug because drugs remain the virus that spoilt the fruit”

Speaking also was Coach Emmanuel Odah applauded the gesture of His Royal Highness Udumeze 111 Of Lokpanta Eze Sir Ifeanyi Eke to reclaim all the converted basketball facilities.

He said that it’s a welcome development because what has been the problem is facilities and equipment if we have more facilities in the FCT that means we are going to turn out more superstars for the future.

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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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