Basket Ball

16 teams to participate in CDS U18 basketball championship

All is set for the 2nd edition of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Democracy Day U18 Basketball Championship which will hold between 13th to 18th June, 2025 at the Indoor Hall, package B of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Addressing the media on Wednesday in Abuja, the chairman, local organising committee (LOC) of the championship, Brigadier General Aliyu Abdullahi (retd), said the competition with the theme: “Encouraging Grassroots Basketball Talents” aims to discover basketball talents as well as employing non-kinetic approach to promote civil-military
relations with emphasis on the youths development and national cohesion.

While assuring of adequate security arrangement for the players, General Abdullahi said the competition will provide a platform for talents to be discovered and nurtured to stardom and represent Nigeria at international tournaments.

The chairman LOC added that FIBA basketball rules would be applied throughout the championship as officials have been invited across the country to ensure equity and fairness.

“The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as part of his non-kinetic approach to improving to improving security in the country and enhance civil-military relations, is organising the Democracy Day Basketball Championship meant to engage Nigerian youths positively. As you may be aware, the first edition took place last year from 9th to 12th June 2024 at the Old Parade Ground and Monaliza Sports and Recreational Park in Abuja.

“Due to the huge success the game generated last year, the CDS is organising the second edition of the championship tagged CDS U18 Democracy Day U18 Basketball Championship. Unlike the first edition, the CDS recognises the importance of the young, vibrant youth population in national development. Hence the choice of the theme “Encouraging Grassroots Basketball Talents” aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence among youths and encouraging tolerance in our society. As a gender-sensitive person, this edition gives equal opportunities for both U18 male and female teams to show their talents, skills and win laurels.

“A total of 16 teams comprising 10 male and 6 female teams drawn from the North Central and the FCT would participate during the championship. These include state teams from Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau and the FCT. Others are Apo Settlers, Gilali, Suba, TNT, M2 and N-Youth from basketball academies/clubs.

“Officials would be invited from across the country to ensure equity and fairness. Accordingly, the FIBA basketball rules shall be used throughout the championship. The event promises to be action, fun with winners winning both individual and team medals. The championship provides a good opportunity for the athletes to make new friends, bond together, understand and share cultures while competing in a peaceful atmosphere.”

According to the organisers, procedures have been put in place to check age cheat through the National Identification Number (NIN) while adding that players would also be subjected to drug test.