SOUTH EAST BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT KICKS OFF IN ABIA
REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
The South East Basketball tournament has commenced at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Umuahia Township Stadium, the Abia State capital.
The tournament took off with Abia Stars Basketball team and its counterpart from Anambra State.
Declaring the competition open, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Nwaobilor Ananaba, said the competition aimed at revitalizing sports in the state and the entire region as well as equipping youths to become professionals.
Mr. Ananaba explained that it was the first time Abia State would be hosting the competition, stressing that the present administration was poised towards making the state the best in the world of sports.
According to the Commissioner, the interest of the state in sports is to catch them young, develop them and make them to become professionals, capable representatives of Abia state both at the national and international levels.
Mr. Ananaba thanked Governor Alex Otti for his unwavering support to sports development in Abia State.
Contributing, the State Director of Sports, Mr. Obioma George, said the competition, which is an annual event is compulsory for every zone.
He noted that the lead top of the tournament would represent South East zone at the national federation basketball championship this year.
Mr. George charged athletes from Abia State, who were selected from the grassroots, to use the competition to showcase their basketball skills to enable them to join the national camp.
For his part, the Technical Director of the tournament and Chairman of Abia State Basketball Association, Mr. Victor Okoro commended state government for providing them with standard equipment needed for the tournament.
Similarly, the Team Captain of Abia Stars Basketball, Emmanuel Kpatuma, appreciated Governor Otti for providing a standard basketball realm and for identifying young athletes in basketball.
The maiden game which ended 50/26 in favour of Abia Stars Basketball against the Anambra Stars Basketball featured presentations of sports kits to participating states.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
