Sports
MAMA Gold Basketball Club, on Friday, defeated Showtyme by 16-11 to win the 5th edition of the Propella 3×3 Male Open Challenge at Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Hoop Dream of Ibadan came third after defeating Beavers Club of Lagos 21-13.
NAN also reports the annual event was sponsored by Babatunde Popoola, President of Basketball Referees’ Council of Nigeria.
Other clubs that participated at the one-day tournament included: Showtyme Hoopers of Ibadan, UI Hoopers of Ibadan, Peekay Hoopers of Ife, Liberty Hoopers of Ibadan, Raptors of Lagos and Mama Gold of Ibadan.
Others were: Rising Stars of Ibadan, TTP Hoopers of Ibadan, Book & Ball Academy of Osogbo, Egbeda Basketball and Tourism of Ibadan and The Polytechnic, Ibadan.
Olusegun Famuyiwa, the Team Manager of Mama Gold commended his players for their commitment to the game.
Famuyiwa said that his players played and executed the team’s plan well.
“This is our third time victory. We won the second, third and now the fifth edition. We are not relenting. Next year, we will come again bigger, with the mindset to win,” he said.
Popoola told NAN that the tournament was borne out of the desire to have a platform for young players to showcase their skills.
He said that it was aimed at making the players and coaches to meet to compete, learn and improve their skills.
“The competition is to exhibit, scout and discover talents and make them to join their state teams.
“We are hoping that we will get institutions that will offer scholarships for basketball players and get some of them in.
“Over the years, I have observed players in this competition growing.
“For instance, Tobi Bello, Juwon Babs and Babatunde Samad have been consistent over the years and are playing in state teams,” he said.
Popoola said that the first four editions were organised for only players in Oyo state, adding that this edition was extended to other states to make it more competitive.
“Limiting it further will only mean that the same players will be meeting early.
“Injecting more teams from other states will make them all play well and bring about more actions,” he said. (NAN)
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December 16, 2023 @ 9:10 GMT|
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