Abia State’s male basketball team, Abia Stars, displayed an impressive performance as they secured a decisive victory over the Anambra basketball team with a scoreline of 50-26. The thrilling match took place at the indoor hall of the Umuahia Township Stadium on Thursday, marking the commencement of the South East Basketball Championship.
Led by captain Ifeanyi Emmanuel Kpatuma, the Abia Stars showcased their prowess on the court, dominating all four rounds of the game and capitalizing on the majority of their scoring opportunities.
The South East Basketball Championship, hosted by Abia State, is scheduled to conclude on Saturday. The eventual winner of the tournament will earn the opportunity to represent the South East region in the prestigious National Basketball Championship.
During the opening ceremony, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwaobilor Ananaba, and Abia State Director of Sports, Obioma George, emphasized the state government’s commitment to sports development. They highlighted the recent installation of Olympic-standard basketball equipment at the Umuahia Township Stadium, a testament to the government’s dedication to promoting sports infrastructure.
Ananaba and George also highlighted the importance of grassroots sports development, noting that many players on the Abia Stars roster were scouted from the recently concluded Abia State Grassroots Games.
Echoing their sentiments, Chairman of the Abia State Basketball Association, Victor Okoro, encouraged the players to aspire to global success, using the Umuahia tournament as a stepping stone towards becoming future basketball champions on the international stage.
