KALU GRACE CHIOMA
The 2022 Owerri Basketball Classic will dunk off on Wednesday, 20 April with the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma declaring it open.
The Classic which will end on 24 April will be held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium Basketball Court, which was renovated by the legend basketballers in Imo State and Former Nigerian International Kelechi Anuna.
The tournament is jointly sponsored by the Imo State Basketball Association and South-East Basketball legends lead by the captain of the senior men and women national teams, Ike Diogu and Will Donce.
Speaking ahead of the competition, South-East representative on the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Mr Ugo Udezue said that the Owerri Basketball Classic will pave the way for other developmental programs in the zone.
Udezue who is the CEO of Nigeria leading sports wear manufacturing company Alfa Sports said more effort is needed to boost the game in the zone and retreats the association readiness to assist organizations ready to partner with the zone towards uplifting of the game in the zone.
He commended the chairman of the Imo State Basketball Association, Kelechi Anosike and Kelechi Anuna for their doggedness and integrity which has attracted Nigerians in despora to believe that they can deliver the goods to the players of the zone when ever they are called up.
The NBBF guru went further to hail all the team owners and participating players from various parts of the country that will be part of the competition for believing that basketball is the next biggest game in the south east.
The tournament will future players from Imo, Cross Rivers, Edo, Bayelsa, Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states.
With teams owned by basketballers from the South-East and South-South part of the country, the first of such partnership in the history of the game in the country will have Joyce Ekworomadu – Team Ekworomadu (Umuahia, Abia) USA; Ndidi Madu – Team Madu (Isuikwuato, Abia) USA; Adaora Elonu – Team Elonu (Okpatu, Enugu) USA; Chukwudi Maduabum – Team Chu (Utuh, Anambra) USA; Ike Diogu – Team Somtochukwu (Isiala Mbano, Imo) USA; Kelechi Anuna – Team Kelechi Anuna (Mbieri, Imo) USA; Stan Okoye – Team Okoye (Anuta, Anambra) USA; Ekene Ibekwe/Ifunanya Ibekwe – Team Ibekwe (Orlu, Imo ) USA; Obi Emegano – Team Emegano (Owerri ) USA; Legendary Francis Uzor – Team Orange Room (Owerri); Orange Room Friend Kelechi Anosike; Team Kulupan -Anosike Wisdom (Isiala Mbano); and Goldwise Team – Ike Iwe (Mbaise) USA with Ikenga Jonhjuld Okere as the sponsor for the most valuable players male and female.
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