ABU wins Olumide Oyedeji Intercollegiate championship
NAN-S-7
Basketball (Wrap up)
By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Lagos, Jan. 23, 2017 (NAN) Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU) rose above all to become champions in the 2nd edition of the Olumide Oyedeji Intercollegiate Basketball Championship held from Jan. 14 to Jan. 21.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that eight tertiary institutions participated in the tournament held at the University of Lagos.
The competition which the organisers described as the “2016 edition’’ due to their inability to hold it last year, will go down as an event which gives youths the opportunity to showcase their capabilities.
To emerge the overall winner, ABU defeated the College of Education Minna, 88-79 in a very competitive and entertaining game.
The final game was dubbed `The Epic final` as fans were encapsulated in the showdown between the two teams.
The Minna college had a very impressive performance, setting championship record by beating every team with over 100 scores line, while ABU prided themselves as the best university basketball team in Africa.
ABU`s Coach, Emmanuel Shibi, had earlier said that the team would clinch the championship.
“It has been a tradition, basketball in African universities belong to ABU.
“When we go to the Africa University Games or NUGA games we always come back with a title or worthy medal to show for it,’’ Shibi said.
Following the victory, Shibi said the team proved themselves as worthy ambassadors of the institution.
“I am so happy with my players, they once again gave the institution the glory it deserved as the best institution in basketball,” Shibi said.
In expressing his disappointment over the loss, Ishiaka Yahaya the COE Minna`s coach said, “our goal was to win the trophy. From the results of all games, we played to the finals; you can tell that we came to win the trophy.
“But it is sad that we could not win for the second time. I guess it is how God wants it.
“We thank God that we made it to the finals. Not everyone makes it to the finals of such tournament; we are coming back stronger in next edition.
“Above all we thank Olumide Oyedeji for giving the youths this platform to exhibit their skills and play competitive basketball.”
NAN reports that other schools that participated in the competition are Federal University of Technology Minna; host school, University of Lagos; and Yaba College of Technology.
Others are Obafemi Awolowo University Ife [OAU], the Lead City University Ibadan and the North America University Houdegbe, Benin Republic.
The University of Lagos emerged third after defeating OAU.
NAN also reports that the 2017 edition is scheduled to hold in November. (NAN)
BAO/ENN/MZA
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Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Maharazu Ahmed