NAN-S-18
Arrival
By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Lagos Jan. 13, 2017 (NAN) Participants from North American University, Houdegbe, Benin Republic, are first to arrive for the second edition of the Olumide Oyedeji Intercollegiate Basketball Championship to jump ball on Saturday in Lagos.
The host, University of Lagos, are also already for the basketball fiesta to take place at the University of Lagos Sports Complex .
The competition’s Director of Operations, Biola Shomola, confirmed the situation to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday.
He said that the team from Benin Republic was first to arrive, while six others were still being expected.
Shomola told NAN that the team would be camped at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Hostel, Surulere.
“We are happy to receive the team from Benin; we thank God for the smooth journey as we expect other teams coming for the competition.
“The participants from Benin has been moved to their Hostel which is the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the organisers of the tournament would on Saturday address a news conference at the University of Lagos Sports Complex.
The participating teams will be unveiled at the conference and the match fixtures determined.
Other schools expected at the competition are the defending champions, Federal University of Technology, Minna; Niger State College of Education Minna, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The Leeds University, Oyo; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; and Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, are also expected.
NAN reports that the competition is one of the programmes of the Olumide Oyedeji Youth Foundation established to provide a unifying platform where tertiary institutions can play competitive basketball.
Other objectives of the competition include bridging the gap between institutional and professional basketball.
The maiden edition was held in September, 2015, at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, with the Federal University of Technology, Minna, emerging champions.
This second edition will have series of events on the sidelines such as media day/photo session, three-point shootout and slam dunk contest. (NAN)
BAO/IGO
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(Edited by Ijeoma Popoola)