Under 17 Youth Basketball Tourney Ends In Lagos

A 2-day Under 17 Basketball Tournament tagged “LASGIDI Youth Basketball Tournament ” organised with the objective to develop the Youth and discover talents who will take over from the elite Basketballers for sustainability in the game in Lagos State.

The Youth development Tournament was organised in collaboration with the Lagos State Sports Commission, as part of efforts to develop Sports at the grassroots.

Ten Youth Basketball Teams in Lagos State competed at the two day Tournament held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Rowe Park Sports Center, Yaba, while the Finals was played at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Molade Okoya-Thomas, Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere.

The 10 Youth Teams that participated at the Tournament included Dodan Cadets Basketball Home Team, Raptors Basketball Home Team, Grippbread Basketball Home Team, Golden Topfield Basketball Home Team, Heatkings Basketball Home Team.

Others are Warriors Academy Basketball Home Team, Del Basketball Academy Basketball Home Team, Macspencer Academy Basketball Home Team and River Dragons Basketball Home Team.

At the end of the 2 day Tournament, River Dragons Basketball Home Team overpower Dodan Warriors Basketball Home Team with 59 points to 28 points. While in the third place match Raptors Basketball Home Team defeated Heat Kings Basketball Home Team with 58 points to 29 points to claim the 3rd place prize.

According to the Vice Chairman Lagos State Basketball Association, Olumide Oyedeji, also a former National Basketball Player, the Lagos State Basketball Association came up with this under 17 Tournament for Boys to engage the Youth in Lagos State and to scout for more talents in Basketball who will represent the State future Tournaments.

The Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Oluwatoyin Gafaar disclosed that the the Lagos State Government through the Commission is always ready to support all Sports Associations in Lagos State to succeed, as well as any organisation or Individual willing to invest in Sports development, Championships and Competitions.

“The Commission is always ready to support any ambition to develop Sports in Lagos State,” he said.

He called for the support of corporate sponsors to complement the efforts of the Lagos State Government through sponsorship.

The Director General then urged the Players to stay away from drugs, while promising that the Lagos State Government will sponsor the trip of the most Promising Player of the Tournament if he gains admission into any University in the United States of America.

Rubben Chinedu of Raptors Basketball Home Team was adjudged as the Most Promising Player of the Tournament.

Winners at the end of the tournament were given Trophy and Medals.