Basketball Boost For Ebonyi As Udezue Unveils New Court, Stages Regional Tournament

South-East representative on the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Ugo Udezue, is set to host a three-day South-East Basketball Tournament in Ebonyi State as part of renewed efforts to strengthen grassroots basketball development and youth empowerment in the region.

The tournament, scheduled to hold from June 5 to June 7 at the Ebonyi Shopping Mall in Abakaliki, will feature teams from the five South-East states — Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Anambra and Abia.

Udezue, who also serves as Chief Executive Officer of AFA Sports, described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at addressing infrastructural deficits and expanding opportunities for young basketball talents across the South-East.

Speaking on Monday, Udezue lamented the shortage of quality basketball facilities in Ebonyi State despite the abundance of talented players emerging from the area.

“Ebonyi State had no viable basketball court across the state, yet it continues to produce many talented players. Half of the Coal City Blazers, the only Premier League basketball team in the South-East, are from Ebonyi,” he said.

He stressed that sports development should not be left solely in the hands of government, urging stakeholders to take greater responsibility in building and maintaining infrastructure.

“We cannot continue placing the entire burden on government. Beyond creating an enabling environment, stakeholders must commit to sports infrastructure, especially in the South-East where football remains the dominant sport.

“We have donated basketball uprights in Enugu for the indoor sports hall and have now built a court in Abakaliki. We appreciate the efforts of sports administrators in other states who have helped revitalise existing facilities, and we will continue to drive development through infrastructure,” Udezue added.

A key highlight of the tournament will be the commissioning of the Hon. Richard Idike Basketball Court, a facility facilitated by Udezue to support talent discovery and the long-term development of basketball in Ebonyi State.

The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Hon. Richard Idike, is expected to attend as Special Guest of Honour and will officially inaugurate the court during the event.

According to Udezue, the project aligns with a broader vision to expand basketball opportunities across the region and create sustainable pathways for young athletes to pursue careers in the sport.

The tournament is expected to attract coaches, administrators, basketball stakeholders and fans from across the South-East, further positioning Ebonyi as an emerging hub for the growth of basketball in Nigeria.