The Anambra basketball team faced a tough challenge as Abia State’s male basketball team, Abia Stars, secured a convincing 50-26 victory in the indoor hall of Umuahia township stadium. The South East Basketball Championship commenced with a thrilling match.
Leading the Abia team, Ifeanyi Emmanuel Kpatuma showcased an outstanding performance, dominating all four rounds and capitalizing on most scoring opportunities.
Hosted by Abia State, the South East Championship will run until Saturday, with the ultimate winner representing the region in the prestigious National Basketball Championship.
At the opening ceremony, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Nwaobilor Ananaba and Abia State Director of Sports Obioma George highlighted the installation of Olympic-standard basketball equipment at Umuahia Township Stadium, courtesy of the Abia State government.
Many Abia Star players were scouted from the recent Abia State Grassroots Games, showcasing the state’s commitment to nurturing local talent.
Both the Commissioner and Director of Sports emphasized Governor Alex Otti’s dedication to sports development, aiming to elevate every sport as a significant revenue generator for the state.
Victor Okoro, Chairman of the Abia State Basketball Association, urged the players to aspire to become future global basketball champions, using the Umuahia tournament as a stepping stone towards that goal.