By; AYO OJEDOKUN, Lagos
The 2022 Owerri Basketball Classics will go live between April 20 and 24 in the South-South and South East zones of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).
This four-day event organized by Imo State Basketball Chairman, Kelechi Anosike in conjunction with former Nigeria international, Kelechi Anuna and 14 others (active and retired players) will feature 15 teams from across the zones with lots of prizes to be won.
With the first edition held in December 2021, the second edition promises more excitements with the likes of former D’Tigress captain, Joyce Ekworomadu, serial Afrobasket winners, Ndidi Madu, Adaora Elonu will be joining Chukwudi Madubuam, Ike Diogu, Stan Okoye, Ekene Ibekwe, Ifunanya Ibekwe and Obi Emegano sponsoring teams to the four-day event.
Speaking about the event, 2017 Afrobasket silver medallist, Anuna said, “The tournament initiative is to provide hope and a sense of belonging for the South East and South-South youth. After the last edition in December, I knew that we needed to bring more national team players back to support. We are fortunate that many wanted to support basketball in Nigeria.”
Anuna who recently commissioned a basketball court while speaking on his motivation said seeing sports stars going back to their communities to build basketball courts and football pitches while growing up gave him an idea of what he wanted and needed to do.
“As I got older, and saw the state of basketball facilities and infrastructures in the East compared to other regions in Nigeria, I knew I had to do something. Every time I come home, I see the same thing year after year. Instead of waiting, I said the time is now which led to the recent basketball court renovation in Owerri where this competition will take place.
He assured that there are more plans and developmental programmes in the pipeline to revive basketball in Imo state, South East, and many parts of Nigeria with the support of the Kelechi Anuna Foundation.
