NAN-S-10
Basketball
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) No fewer than 48 teams would participate in the maiden Lagos 3×3 Basketball Tour which will hold from Nov. 5 to Dec. 3 in five centres across the state.
Howell Alusi, the promoter of the tour, told newsmen at a news conference on Thursday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, that the match would be played in five venues.
He said matches would be played at the Ilupeji Sports Arena on Nov. 5, Lagos State Parks and Garden on Nov. 12 in Ikeja and Rowe Park Sports Centre in Yaba on Nov.19.
Others venues are YMCA Outdoor Court in Ikoyi on Nov. 26, while the final will hold on Dec. 3 at Teslim Balogun Stadium.
Alusi added that the programme was initiated to create an enabling environment for basketball players to visit sports centres to play the game.
“This event is different from the normal competitions, where basketball players will have the opportunity to compete and showcase their talent without going to sport centres.
“It is urban in nature and endorsed by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
“The competition will be a round robin game and two teams will be selected from the centres,’’ he said.
Also, Deji Tinubu, Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, described the upcoming event as a new dimension in bringing people together through sports.
Tinubu said that such events are massive outside the country, adding that it could also be massive in the country through awareness.
“The competition is a different kind of basketball game because the participants must be fit, skilful and combine it with entertainment.
“We want to take basketball out of the traditional centres and hand to it to the public place to entice people to the sport.
“Our aim is to make Lagos a sports hub and develop a sport culture,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the winner of the tour will received a cash prize of N200, 000, while awards will be presented to the various categories of the competition. (NAN)
KOA/ERO/PDE
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Peter Ejiofor)