Federal Capital Territory will soon witness the birth of a grassroots basketball league aimed at discovering the talents in the Six Area Councils.
The push for stronger grassroots basketball development in Nigeria was the focus today as basketball administrators, former players, and stakeholders gathered in Abuja to launch a new league tagged ” Amateur Basketball Academies League”.
Speaking at the official press conference to unveil the league, the event hosts, who is also the Caretaker Chairman of the FCT Basketball Association, His Royal Highness Eze Ifeanyi Eke emphasized the need for sustained investment, partnerships, and collective commitment to ensure basketball development extends beyond the elite level.
He expressed support for the tournament and pledged commitment to the growth of the league among the academies.
The Royal Highness commended Coaches present at the event for their dedication to mentoring younger basketball players across the FCT.
” The Coaches remain the foundation of basketball development and the major driver of players’ growth and team success,” Ifeanyi Eke said.
” We must continue to support Coaches and Academies because they are shaping the future of Nigerian basketball”, He concluded.
Founder of the initiative and President of the Amateur Basketball Academies, Professor Lucky Abubakar, who is also the Deputy Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service, said the project is aimed at reviving community basketball, creating opportunities for young athletes, and strengthening the development structure of the sport nationwide.
According to him, the competition will provide exposure for players, coaches and scouts within the domestic basketball community.
” We are committed to creating opportunities for young players to develop their skills and compete at a high level,” Abubakar said.
” The tournament will serve as a platform to identify future stars capable of representing Nigeria in international competitions,” he added.
Meanwhile, the league is expected to commence with a pilot edition in the Federal Capital Territory in July, featuring twenty teams both boys and girls, competing for honours while providing a platform for emerging talents to showcase their skills
Organisers also disclosed plans to expand the competition to other states in future editions as efforts are intensified to deepen basketball development across Nigeria.
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Highlights of the occasion are the unveiling of the league trophies.
Present at the event are other members of the Amateur Basketball Academies Board, which include Madam Theresa Ahmed, Coach Mike Akubor, Coach Odaudu Adeka, Coach Emmanuel Odah and General Manager, NTA Sports 24, Kayode Adeniyi.
