South-East Basketball enjoying a rebirth with court and quality events

South East basketball continues to wear a new look of growth with every passing month

By Pius Ayinor

It was a buzzing weekend a fortnight ago for many young basketballers scattered across the South East region of Nigeria. There is something ironic about this section of the country when it comes to the game of basketball.

Two decades ago, the Nigeria Basketball Federation raised concerns about how the South East states did not have any team in the Nigeria Premier Basketball League, even when some states had two or more clubs in other regions, with the city of Lagos fielding at least five teams every season. Those discussions ended up as paperwork, as no top-flight teams emerged.

At best, the East continued to serve as a good scouting place for players. And to date, the situation has not completely changed, but something deliberate is happening, and the efforts and changes are visible to all.

A few years ago, Ugo Udezue returned from the USA to set up the African Basketball League that successfully ran on the continent. The ABL, later known as the Continental Basketball League, is truly the blueprint for whatever league is being played on the continent currently. The idea was to give the Africa-based professional basketballers greater opportunities.

Ugo serves as the representative of the South East Zone on the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation and says he is giving all to change the face of the game in that region.

From June 5 to 7, Ebonyi State took a significant step in its sports development drive as it hosted the maiden South-East Regional Basketball Championship, with many people describing the tournament as a landmark event for youth empowerment and talent discovery in the region. One of the major highlights of this basketball fiesta was the commissioning of a new basketball court donated to the youths of the state by Ugo Udezue.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on behalf of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Richard Idike, said the competition marked the first time Ebonyi State was hosting a regional basketball tournament of such magnitude.

A major highlight of the event was the commissioning of the newly constructed Hon. Richard Idike Basketball Court, which will serve as a centre for basketball development, youth engagement, and grassroots talent identification in the state.

At the event, Honourable Idike praised the NBBF President, Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida for his contributions to the development of the game in Nigeria, and also commended the South-East representative on the NBBF board, Udezue, for his role in bringing the tournament and the new basketball facility to fruition.

He noted that, “The championship goes beyond competition, providing a platform for regional integration, friendship and the discovery of future stars capable of representing Nigeria on the international stage.”

The state government reiterated its commitment to investing in sports and youth development, stressing that the collaboration with the NBBF and other stakeholders would help nurture emerging talents and create opportunities for young people across the region.

Coach Kingsley Auchu (popularly known as Coach Saucer) believes a good court is what many of the young players in the Abakaliki area lack.

“This is a welcome development. For a very long time, we didn’t have anything (the basketball court) like this. This is very good for our programmes, and this should help us go global.

In an exclusive interview with Extrasportnigeria.com, Honourable Idike said he was excited by the development, as the government is open to individuals and corporate bodies stepping forward to launch initiatives like this.

He said, “This project started just as a discussion, and we imagined it would take some time. But the response was swift and within three months or thereabout we have a good court on the ground,” he said.

But even as the people of Ebonyi celebrate growth coming with facilities, training schedules, and the region eventually getting to host the NBBF’s Men’s Premier League, not everyone agrees that the new court would make any impact in the lives of the locals.

“Which impact, which new court?” Victor Okoro, the Abia State Basketball Association Chairman and a member of the national board, queries.

“I don’t think this thing can make any impact. I have been reading about a new court in Abakaliki, but I don’t know where this court is. There’s no new court; it is propaganda. What he (Ugo Udezue) did was to paint a portion of the old extended car park at the shopping complex. He only renovated the place.”

Okoro, who admitted that he had not been able to personally see the court, said he believed the reports he got.

“People from there called me to inform me of what was going on, including the guy who supplied the upright.

“My concern is getting the President (Musa Kida of the NBBF) deceived that you have built a real court and mixing his name with this kind of thing.”

 And not far away from Abia, just across to Imo State, a former Chairman of the state’s basketball association, Mr Kelechi Anosike, spoke about the new court.

He said, “There’s no new court in Abakaliki.”

Anosike, who insisted he is not a former chairman but rather a factional chairman of the Imo State Basketball Association, promised to send evidence the following day that the court was not a new one, but he has yet to do so.

Based on the statements of Okoro and Anosike, Extrasportnigeria.com asked the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Sports, Idike, to clarify the status of the court.

“I am surprised that somebody would say such negative things about this project. Some people are just on standby to run down anything done by the government or anything that helps in the government’s drive towards sustainable development.

“Anyone saying it is not a new court is deliberately being mischievous. What do you need to build a new court that they are making look like an impossible task?

“This project did not even take more than three months. He (Mr Ugo Udezue) visited, and a discussion led us to this. He there and then promised to donate a court when he realized there was none around here. We searched for a place, got it secured, and that was how the project began from scratch.”

The commissioner then made a plea for other persons who are willing to partner with the government for sustainable development, especially in projects that would help the youth reach their goals.

“We are looking for more people like this; competent persons with good ideas that work with this government’s goals.”

Coach Nwoyechi works with the Enugu State Sports Commission as a basketball coach. He expressed his shock at Anosike’s statement.

He said, “I went to Ebonyi State with Ugo, and so I know about the project from Day One. This court was built on a space. We started work from scratch.

“I am not saying this to please Ugo. He made a huge sacrifice using personal funds. I have an idea how much this thing costs. It was completely funded by Ugo.

“But I am not shocked about what Anosike has said. He knows he is not telling the truth. Bring-him-down syndrome is what it is all about.”

He also spoke about the recently concluded tournament.

“Again, Ugo funded this competition completely. Some of the cash sent to the participants passed through me, and so I can talk about this event in terms of organization and financing.”

The second phase of the NBBF’s Men’s Premier League is ongoing in Enugu. This is quite rare in Nigerian basketball. This flagship competition of the federation had never been held in the South East region in decades. This growth can be traced to the recent developments and awareness in the region. Udezue, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of AFA Sports, says he remains resolute on making a great impact in that region – a process he started before he got elected into the NBBF board in 2022.

He says, “I understand that if you don’t have naysayers, you’re probably not doing something right.

“Our focus remains on basketball development, youth empowerment, and infrastructure across the Southeast. We are proud of the progress being made in Ebonyi through Coal City Blazers and other initiatives that are creating opportunities for the next generation.

“We will remain focused on the work and leave the commentary to others.

“My thanks to Honorable Idike for his support throughout the process, and I also want to give thanks to the NBBF President, Engr. Musa Kida for his steadfast encouragement.”