The South-East Representative on the Nigeria Basketball Federation board, Ugo Udezue, will open a new basketball court in Abakaliki. This will kick off a three-day South-East Basketball Tournament in Ebonyi State from June 5 to 7.
Udezue, who is also the CEO of AFA Sports, said this project aims to boost grassroots basketball and empower young people in the South-East.
"Ebonyi State had no good basketball court in the whole state, but the state is producing a lot of players," Udezue said on Monday. "Half of the Coal City Blazers are from Ebonyi."
The Coal City Blazers are the only Premier League basketball team in the South-East.
Udezue urged stakeholders to take more responsibility for sports facilities instead of relying only on the government. "We cannot keep putting the burden on the government. As stakeholders, we must support sports infrastructure, especially in the South-East, where football is the main sport," he stated. He also mentioned that his organization donated uprights for the indoor stadium in Enugu.
The tournament will take place at the Ebonyi Shopping Mall in Abakaliki. Teams from all five South-East states, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Anambra, and Abia, are expected to take part.
A key moment during the event will be the official opening of the Hon. Richard Idike Basketball Court. Udezue facilitated the creation of this facility to help find and develop talent in the state. The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Hon. Richard Idike, will be the Special Guest of Honour and will officially open the court during the tournament.
Udezue said the event is expected to attract basketball stakeholders, coaches, administrators, and fans from across the region.
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