The sixth edition of the annual Rt Hon. Victor Ochei International Wheelchair Basketball Championship gets underway today at the Sir Molade Okoya -Thomas indoor sports hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.
All the states of the federation, teams from Ghana, Republic of Benin and Togo as well as paramilitary teams are participating in this year’s edition which attracts N5m as prize money.
Bukola Olopade, President, Wheelchair Basketball Federation of Nigeria, (WBFN) said on Sunday that all necessary arrangement were in place to ensure a hitch- free championship aimed at preparing the country for an international engagement later in the year in South Africa.
Also, Olopade who expressed appreciation to the sponsor of the championship,Sir Ochei; former Speaker Delta State House of Assembly.
“It’s a great honour to have an individual who despite not in government sponsor such championship for many years till now, its however on this note that I am appealing to other notable Nigerians to support so that the game can grow and as well empower the athletes.
He however observed that this year’s edition would be keenly competed among teams going by the preparation of participating teams and the number of athletes that have been discovered.
The technical director, WBFN, Adoki Obrien said that the championship would enable him to discover more talents for the senior and junior national team.
The championship ends on Saturday at the same venue with the minister of sport, Solomon Dalung expected as special guest of honour.