I Want To Be A Boxing Icon – Fijabi

Rising Light welterweight boxing star and winner of GOtv Boxing Night Best Boxer Award, Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi, says he aims to be a world champion and an iconic figure

Why did you choose boxing?

Actually, I never liked boxing not until a particular day when a friend bullied me. I got home and my parents chastised me. I was then forced to learn how to box and to the glory of God, I’m now a professional boxer.

Did your parents support your decision to go into boxing?

No, they didn’t.

At what stage did it dawn you that you will become a professional boxer?

As an amateur boxer, I was national champion three times. I also won eight gold medals at the National Sports Festivals. I was convinced that I had seen it all at that level and I decided to turn professional. I was a gold medalist in 2007 and 2008, but the funniest thing was that I was never picked to represent Nigeria. I thought the coaches were not comfortable with me, so I decided to turn professional.

Why do you think you were not picked to represent the country?

I don’t know. I ruled the amateur cadre for a decade and no boxer ever defeated me. I remain the undisputed champion. You can go and check the records. No boxer in my weight category ever defeated me.

Why did it take you so long to turn professional?

I never thought of turning professional if not for the coming of GOtv Boxing Night and Flykite. I said so because when I saw the way boxers before me were living hand to mouth, I thought it was better to remain an amateur because I don’t want to live like them. When my coaches told me of the package the GOtv Boxing Night was offering, it was impossible to reject it.

Two professional fights and two wins, how will you rate yourself?

I don’t want to see myself as a champion yet because there is still more to come. My ambition, however, is to be a world champion in my category and I will be.

Olaide Fijabi, winner of a trophy and One Million Naira during 3rd GOtv Boxing Night held at the Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium Surulere, Lagos.

You were adjudged the best boxer on your debut at the second edition of the GOtv Boxing Night. How did you feel?

I felt good because I never knew I would be selected as the boxer of the night

In your second fight at the GOtv Boxing Night, you also emerged the best boxer and got a prize of N1 million. How did you spend it?

I spent it judiciously. I bought myself some training kits and did some donations to some people that are less privileged. The rest was used to cater for some other things.

What should your fans look out for when you fight at the next edition of the GOtv Boxing Night in December?

It is the same message I always have for my fans: I will win. For my opponent: He should be prepared for more beating. Whoever my opponent is next month will see fire.

Who is your role model?

My role model is nobody but Floyd Mayweather Jnr. I love the way he fights in the ring and I enjoy watching his fight and I learn some boxing skills from him.

FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR
photo credit: PrizeFights.com
https://www.flickr.com/photos/prizefights/16166145214/

What message do you have for boxing lovers?

I don’t want them to see boxers as thugs or street urchins. I also want them to come out in their numbers to come and watch the best of boxing in the next edition of the GOtv Boxing Night at the Indoor Sports Hall, National Stadium, Lagos State.

How many are you in your family?
I really don’t want to comment on that. The family name is what I strive everyday to make ensure it becomes bigger.

GOtv Boxing Night: Stakeholders, Fans Hail Organisers

Stakeholders and fans of boxing in the country have lauded GOtv, headline sponsors of GOtv Boxing Night, for the successful organisation of the fourth edition of the six-bout professional boxing event and contributions to the revival of the sport.
The event, which held on Sunday at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, left stakeholders and the audience in raptures.

Secretary-General of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) Mr. Remi Aboderin described GOtv Boxing Night as the lifeline that has saved the sport from going into extinction.

“Everybody associated with boxing must be grateful to GOtv for rescuing the sport from the doldrums. Without funding and high quality organisation by GOtv and Flykite Productions, the promoters, I shudder to think what could have happened to boxing,” he said.

Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, President-General of the Nigerian Supporters Club and member of the NBB of C, shares similar sentiments. ” GOtv has offered boxers the opportunity of fighting more regularly, something that was not happening before, and the sport is back on a sound footing. If we keep this up, the sport will fully recover in no time,” he said.

Fans at the event were effusive in their commendations for the sponsors, with many of them hoping that the event grows and for the country to produce a world champion soon.

Ottoh “Joe Boy” Joseph was the revelation of the fourth edition of the GOtv Boxing Night, as he was named the best boxer of the event. He defeated Nurudeen “Prince” Fatai in a National Lightweight challenge contest to win the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy and the cash prize of N1m.

Boxing Fans at the 3rd GOtv Boxing Night held at the Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium Surulere, Lagos.

Another winner on the night was Waidi “Skoro” Usman, the West African Featherweight champion, who knocked out Taofik “Taozon” Bisuga in the fourth round of their eight-round contest. Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi, first winner of the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy and the N1m cash prize, also came out triumphant when he defeated Saheed “Happy Boy” Olayiwola by a fifth round knockout of Light Welterweight challenge contest. Isiaka “Easy Lion” Yusuf was knocked out by Stanley “Edo Boy” Eribo in the third round of their National Featherweight challenge bout.

The night’s major bout saw Nigeria’s Isaac Ekpo, a former Commonwealth Super Middleweight champion, accounting for Burkina Faso’s Jules Kabore, who was knocked out in the fifth round of the scheduled 10-round bout. The first fight of the night featured Jamiu “Naval Man” Olabode against Pelumi “Haggler” Sodubi, who was knocked in the second round.
The tournament is supported by other corporate bodies like MultiChocie, SuperSport, KSquare Security, Custodian Assurance Limited, Complete Sports, Brilla FM, Bond FM and Newsbreak.ng.

GOtv Boxing Night: Boxers Talk Tough

Ahead of the GOtv Boxing Night holding on Sunday at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, opponents have been swapping boasts of decimating each other. Nigeria’s Isaac “Grenade” Ekpo, a former Commonwealth Super Middleweight champion, has vowed to stop his opponent Jules “Tyson” Kabore of Burkina Faso in the fourth of their 10-round contest when they meet in the event’s headline bout. “Kabore is taller than I am, but that will have no bearing on the fight. I will be celebrating my birthday on Sunday and I have to give myself a birthday present. Stopping Kabore in the fourth round is the present that I want and deserve. He is not going beyond that and he knows,” raved Ekpo.

Kabore is also talking up his own chances against an accomplished opponent.

Responding to Ekpo’s claim that he cannot be defeated in Nigeria, Kabore said: “I won four of my seven fights via TKO. I am undefeated since turning pro. I am taller and better than Ekpo. Tell him that. He will fall. That is not a subject for debate.”
Nurudeen “Prince” Fatai, the National Lightweight champion billed to fight Joe “Otto Boy” Joseph in a challenge contest, has dismissed his opponent’s chances of defeating him as non-existent. “I have been a champion for ten years. It takes something to be a champion, which Ottoh does not have. Many have tried and failed. Ottoh will fail,” he said waspishly. Ottoh’s response was similarly threat-filled. “Tell him that he has spent his time. This is my time. I will beat him and tell him that his time has gone. No story,” he bragged.

Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi, who won the one million cash prize for the best boxer at the last edition of the GOtv Boxing Night, is convinced that he will repeat the trick when he takes on Saheed “Happy Boy” Olayiwola in a National Light Welterweight challenge duel. Fijabi said his opponent will transmute into a sad boy from “Happy Boy”.

“He calls himself Happy Boy, but when I finish with him, he will be the saddest boy in the whole of Nigeria. Just wait and see,” he boasted. Happy Boy, however, is convinced that he will be the happier guy at the end of the fight.

“Fijabi is a small boy. I will teach him boxing and he will go home crying like a baby,” he retorted.

Olaide Fijaborn Fijabi,

GOtv Boxing Night, an initiative to revive boxing in Nigeria, will feature six professional fights. The others aresix-round duels which will see Jamiu “Naval Man” Olabode, take on Pelumi “Haggler” Sodubi in a Welterweight challenge, while Stanley “Edo Boy” Eribo will duel with Isiaka “Easy Lion” Yusuf. Waidi “Skoro” Usman will take on Taofik “Taozon” Bisuga in a Featherweight challenge contest.

The event, which starts at 4pm, will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Sponsored by pay-TV company, GOtv, the tournament which started last November, also held in March and July. GOtv Boxing Night is supported by other corporate bodies like MultiChocie, SuperSport, KSquare Security, Custodian Assurance Limited, Complete Sports, Brilla FM, Bond FM and Newsbreak.ng.

GOtv To Give Ailing Boxing Legend, Dele Jonathan, Financial Assistance

Ailing former Commonwealth Lightweight boxing champion, Mr. Dele Jonathan, is to receive financial assistance from GOtv, headline sponsors of the GOtv Boxing Night.

An announcement to this effect was made at the third edition of the GOtv Boxing Night, held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, on Sunday.

According to the sponsors, the 68-year old Jonathan, who is suffering from bladder and prostate enlargement and requires surgery, will be given 25 per cent of gate takings from the well attended event.

L-R: Adewunmi Ogunsanya, Chairman MultiChoice Nigeria; Olaide Fijabi, winner of a trophy and One Million Naira; Jenkins Alumona, Managing Director, Flykite Productions; John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria and Felix Awogu, General Manager, SuperSport during 3rd GOtv Boxing Night held at the Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium Surulere, Lagos Sunday 26th of July, 2015

“Mr. Dele Jonathan deserves every help he can use. He brought great honour to the country through boxing and there is a need to ensure that he regains his health,” said Jenkins Alumona, Managing Director of Flykite Productions, promoters of the GOtv Boxing Night, a competition conceived to revive the sport in the country.

A bold sign of revival was visible at the third edition of the event, with Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi, a Light Welterweight boxer, winning the N1million cash prize for the competition’s best boxer award.

Fijabi also won the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy. He defeated Kazeem “Iberu” Ariyo in their eight-round duel. Also on the night, Sule “Tyson” Olagbade, National Light Middleweight champion, retained his title by defeating his challenger, Rasheed “Afonja Warrior” Abolaji in their closely-contested 12-round title bout.

In the Lightweight division, Prince Nurudeen Fatai defeated Chibuzor “T-Boy” Obi, while Sunday “Golden Child” Ajuwa saw off the challenge of Femi “Easywhite” Ajayi in an eight-round Cruiserweight challenge.

In the Heavyweight category, Onoriode “Onos” Ehwarieme knocked out Adewale “Masevex” Masebinu in the second of their six-round challenge bout.

Onoriode used the opportunity to announce his readiness to take on National Heavyweight champion, Adewale “Tiger’ Abbey, who he boasted would be dethroned when they meet.

The event featured an international female bout between Nigeria’s Helen “Iron Lady” Johnson and Ghana’s Gifty “Tiger” Ankrah. The former won by unanimous decision.

GOtv Boxing Night is supported by MultiChoice, SuperSport, KSquare Security, Newsbreak.ng, Complete Sports, Brilla FM and Paragonis Multimedia Limited.

GOtv Boxing Night: Fijabi Wins N1m Cash Prize

Boxing Fans at the 3rd GOtv Boxing Night held at the Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium Surulere, Lagos.

Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi, the star Light Welterweight boxer, won the biggest ever pay-out in the history of Nigerian boxing, as he was voted best boxer at the GOtv Boxing Night on Sunday.

Fijabi also went home with the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy and plenty of adulation, following his defeat of Kazeem “Iberu” Ariyo, by unanimous decision, in an eight-round contest.

From the first round, Fijabi, the clear crowd favourite, punished his opponent with deft combinations that left the huge crowd screaming his name.

Ariyo, a decent boxer in his own right, however, found Fijabi too hot to handle.

Sule “Tyson” Olagbade, National Light Middleweight champion, retained his belt, following his defeat of challenger, Rasheed “Afonja Warrior” Abolaji

In another big fight on the night, Sule “Tyson” Olagbade, National Light Middleweight champion, retained his belt, following his defeat of challenger, Rasheed “Afonja Warrior” Abolaji in their closely-contested 12-round bout.

All the judges called the fight in Olagbade’s favour. Both boxers fought with gusto, drawing unrestrained applause from the crowd.

Onoriode “Onos” Ehwarieme knocked out Adewale “22Masevex” Masebinu in the second round.

In the Lightweight category, the challenge bout between Prince Nurudeen Fatai and Chibuzor “T-Boy” Obi ended in the latter’s favour by unanimous decision.

Sunday “Golden Child” Ajuwa also defeated Femi “Easywhite” Ajayi in an eight-round Cruiserweight challenge.

Onoriode “Onos” Ehwarieme knocked out Adewale “Masevex” Masebinu in the second

In the Heavyweight division, Onoriode “Onos” Ehwarieme knocked out Adewale “Masevex” Masebinu in the second of their six-round challenge bout.

The international female bout between Nigerian boxer, Helen “Iron Lady” Johnson and Ghana’s Gifty “Tiger” Ankrah was won by unanimous decision by the Nigerian.

L-R: Adewunmi Ogunsanya, Chairman MultiChoice Nigeria; Olaide Fijabi, winner of a trophy and One Million Naira; Jenkins Alumona, Managing Director, Flykite Productions; John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria and Felix Awogu, General Manager, SuperSport during 3rd GOtv Boxing Night held at the Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium Surulere, Lagos Sunday 26th of July, 2015

Sponsored by GOtv, the event is supported by MultiChoice, SuperSport, KSquare Security, Newsbreak.ng, Complete Sports, Brilla FM and Paragonis Multimedia Limited.

Ghana, Nigeria Rekindle Rivalry At GOtv Boxing Night

The fierce sports rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana will again be on view at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos on Sunday.

The occasion is the third edition of the GOtv Boxing Night, a six-bout professional boxing tourney, which will see Ghana-based female Nigerian boxer, Helen “Iron Lady” Johnson fight Ghana’s Gifty “Tiger” Ankrah in an international bout.

The last edition of the event saw Ghana’s Alfred “Ahwor” Quaye knocked out by Nigeria’s Waidi “Skoro” Usman in a West African Featherweight title fight.

Rasheed “Afonja Warrior” Abolaji

Just as Ankrah will want to avoid a repeat of what happened to Quaye, Johnson will seek to ensure that Nigeria retains the bragging rights.

Both boxers have been threatening to deal each other, with Ankrah boasting that she will prove that Ghana is way ahead of Nigeria in sports. Johnson, however, has said she is not depending on home support to defeat her opponent, saying she would beat her even if the fight held in Ghana.

One of the two boxers is in line to win the N1million cash prize for the best boxer of the evening if she is so voted.

GOtv Boxing Night, sanctioned by the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, will feature a 12-round National Light Middleweight bout between reigning champion, Sule “Tyson” Olagbade, and Rasheed “Afonja Warrior” Abolaji.

It will also feature a Lightweight challenge bout between Prince Nurudeen Fatai and Chibuzor “T-Boy” Obi,

Chibuzor “T-Boy” Obi

,

while Sunday “Golden Child” Ajuwa will take on Femi “Easywhite” Ajayi in an eight-round Cruiserweight challenge.

There will also be a Light Welterweight challenge bout between Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi and Kazeem “Iberu” Ariyo. In the Heavyweight division, Onoriode “Onos” Ehwarieme will take on Adewale “Masevex” Masebinu in a six-round challenge bout.

GOtv Boxing Night, which has the pay-TV company as the headline sponsor, is supported by MultiChoice, SuperSport, KSquare Security, Newsbreak.ng, Complete Sports, Brilla FM and Paragonis Multimedia Limited.

The event will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Olaide Fijaborn Fijabi,

17th MILO BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: ANOTHER YEAR OF TEAMS EMERGENCE AND CONSOLIDATION

The Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship remains an inspiration for Nigerian youth instilling life values of hard work as well as team work, discipline and fair play. The organizational structure which controlled over 10,000 Secondary Schools across the country pencilled down for this year’s edition in the four conferences after the states finals.

The first was the Confluence Conference in Lokoja in April this year followed by the Atlantic in Benin, Central Conference in Akure and Western Conference in Ibadan and culminated with the National Final just concluded in Lagos.

Each conference has its own unique features. Debutants St. Peters College Idah, Kogi State emerged Confluence Conference champions and almost sat on top at the grand finale. The Confluence Conference also produced the youngest player 12 year old Aisha Mohammed of Bilingual Secondary School, Maiduguri who was also the captain of her team. Although her school did not make it to the National Final but Aisha displayed superlative skills which confirmed she has prospects in the game.

Coach of the The Ogun State addressing his wards during The Semi-final Of The 17Th Milo Basketball Championships Zonal Qualifiers

Also in this group of first timers who excelled are Onome and Omena Akpoyibo, the 12 year old twins identified from the Central Conference in Akure. In terms of consolidation of the already existing position, the two finalists in the girl’s category. National Champions St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School Amarata, Bayelsa and runner-up Idiah College Benin City need to be mentioned.

Both teams have been rivals from the Atlantic Conference swopping positions at every encounter showing the improved standard of play from that part of the country.

Coach Chris Nomigo of Dodan Warriors Basketball Club sees this development as a great one for basketball in Nigeria. “The players are very young and skilful, if the standard is maintained; the sky is the limit for the game of basketball in Nigeria”.

Some teams have also remained consistent. Ilupeju Grammar School, Lagos and Yejide Girls Grammar School, Ibadan Oyo State continued with the steady growth. Both teams were also present at the 2014 National Finals in Lagos.

In terms of tactical play the boy’s champion Government Secondary School Kaduna seemed to have mastered a particular strategy especially in the last quarter. Just like what the team did at the Central Conference Final against Benue. The Kaduna boys came from behind using the same reliable and dependable player David Isa’s “buzzer” shot to pick the trophy at 52-51.

President FIBA Africa (Zone 3) Col. Sam Ahmedu presents an electronic scoreboard to the organisers of the MILO championship

Of course Isa was named the Most Valuable Player of the Championship. The Public Relations Officer School Sports Federation Kudu Umar said the players “ball sense” was highly commendable.”No one was sure of who would emerge victorious because the tempo was high. Although we watched from the terrace but it was as if we were the ones on the court. The standard was very high”. The referees’ co-ordinator Halidu Mohammed was happy with the officiating. “The referees used at the National Finals were graded from their outings at the conferences.

We used the best at the National Finals”. The winning coach in the girl’s category Tony Nelson of St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School Bayelsa State noted that the Nestle Milo Basketball has shifted attention from football to basketball. “You observed that on the day of the final games, there were two other sporting events at the National Stadium Lagos, a league match at Legacy Pitch and Tennis Championship at the Tennis Court but the Indoor Sports Hall where the Milo Basketball was held was filled to capacity. Thanks to Nestle Milo, the sole sponsor.

Abubakar Drops 31 Points As Savannah All Stars Win 2015 DStv All Star Game.

-With heavy down pour in Lagos on Saturday, thunder struck twice at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos as the Savannah Conference All Stars won their 2nd straight DStv Premier Basketball league AllStar game, with a flamboyant display of long range shots, Alley hoops and high octane Slam dunks.

Powered by reigning All Star MVP Abubakar Usman’s 31 points off seven, 3 points shot and Kano Pillars team mate Ibrahim Yusuf’s 18 points including 4 from behind the arc, the Savannah conference All Stars put up a shooting clinic on their way to a 102-66 points victory over the Atlantic conference Allstar team.

Despite boasting of the likes of legendary Tunji Awojobi who was limited to just 9points, Ben Uzoh (11points) and William Ndoumbe (9points) all on their roster, the Atlantic conference All Stars were dominated in the 2nd and final quarter (10-26) & (16-30),despite starting with a blast trailing by one (18-19) in the opening quarter and put up a strong fight back after the break in the 3rd (22-27).

Mark Mentors Azuoma Dike who in previous seasons stared for the Atlantic conference team added 9 points from the bench with a perfect 3/3 from behind the arc. Team mates, Stanley Gumut scored 11 points with Center, Victor ‘Koko’Anthony dominant on the boards adding 10 rebounds along with 12 points and 3 blocks to complete the blowout win for the boys from the North.

Tijjani Umar. NBBF President oresents an award after the AllStar game

2014 DStv Allstar game most valuable player Abubakar Usman retained his MVP trophy going home with a DStv Explora decoder for his exploits, while magical Lagos Islander’s forward William Ndoumbe who put up a show in the Slam Dunk Contest took the Slam Dunk King’s crown with style. Mark Mentors Timothy Kwaor shoved off the stiff challenge of team mate Azuoma Dike and Sola Alayande (Lagos Islanders) to retain his 3 point shooting contest trophy which also had a DStv Explora Decoder to go along with.

…Legends Grace the All Star Game

Emmanuel Chagu (late,), Agboola Pinheiro, Godwin Anani ( late), Alabi Adelanwa, Ganiyu Otenigbagbe , Oliver Johnson, and Gen. Joseph Garba, (late)

The fun fair of the Saturday All Star game was taken to the peak as the Nigeria Baketball Federation honoured the men who transformed and made the face of Basketball what we see today. Some of the Legends including Coach Alabi Adelanwa and Ganiyu Otenigbagbe famed to have developed the Dream, Hakeem Olajuwon before he went on to dominate the world of basketball.

Coach Agboola Pinheiro who played and coached the national team ( Men, Women and Juniors) and the famous Leventis Buffalos who dominated the Nigerian Basketball scene for many years, Coach Oliver B. Johnson who left the United States of America in 1967 to coach basketball and never went back coaching the likes of Ganiyu Otenigbagbe and Adelanwa on the national team and the maestro behind the dominance of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in the Nigerian University Games up until today.

The likes of Late Maj. Gen Joseph Garba, Coach Godwin Anani and Emmanuel Chagu were also given Posthumous Awards.

Honorees at the all-star day Emmanuel Chagu(late,), Agboola Pinheiro, Godwin Anani( late), Alabi Adelanwa, Ganiyu Otenigbagbe , Oliver Johnson, and Gen. Joseph Garba, (late). Congratulations

D’Tigers Seal Continental Deals In Lagos

D’Tigers of Nigeria in action against Burkina Faso

Nigeria sealed qualification to the 2015 FIBA Africa Basketball championship in Tunisia and the All African Games in Congo with a 63-50 victory over Burkina Faso in the 2nd Leg of the qualifiers at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

The D’Tigers who won the 1st leg by 23 points in Ouagadougou jumped off the starting block in style, in front of the ecstatic Lagos crowd with an 8 points lead in the 1st quarter with the score line at 18-10 points.

D’Tigers of Nigeria in action against Burkina Faso

Though missing a couple of free throws in the 2nd quarter, the D’Tigers extended their lead 32-17 to go on the half time break with a 15 points lead thanks to good offensive display.

It was a tougher game for the host after the break as the Burkinabes’ gave a tough fight in the 2nd half winning both the 3rd and 4th quarters 15-14 and 18-17 points respectively. However, a relentless Nigerian side held on for the much needed victory to keep the 2016 Rio Olympics dream alive, which the 2015 Afrobasket will act as qualifiers.

Burkina Faso’s Men Basketball team

Burkina Faso’s Moussa Ouattara lead the floor on the night with 12 points and 11 rebounds in the losing effort with no Nigerian player recording double digits.

However, Azuoma Dike, Abdulwahab Yakubu and Abdulwahab Yahaya all finished with 9points apiece with Azuoma adding 6 rebounds to his tally. And Nigeria’s only home based player at the 2013 FIBA Africa Basketball Championship (Afrobasket) in Abidjan , Stanley Gumut giving a performance reminiscent of the performance that got him a national call up putting up 8 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists and captain Olumide Oyedeji adding 6 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists.

Olumide Oyedeji, Captain D’Tigers Of Nigeria speaking with the media after the game

Nigeria is now joins 13 other qualified countries – Angola, Egypt, Cote d’ Ivoire, Cameroon, Mali, Morocco, Uganda, Cape Verde, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Gabon, Congo and host Tunisia- for her 17th appearance at FIBA Africa Championship built for the cities of Nabuel and Hammamet, Tunisia from the 20th-30th August 2015 vis-a-vis the 11th All African Games scheduled for September 4-19th in Congo Brazzaville.

Nestle Milo Schools Basketball Championship-Fiba Africa Zone 3 Targets Outstanding Players

As the stage is being set for the finals of the Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championships in Lagos, FIBA Africa Zone 3 the Basketball body controlling the zone sees the championship as a good platform for Nigeria’s budding talents to hit stardom.

The Administrative Secretary of FIBA Africa Zone 3 Joe Apu stated that the Nestle Milo Basketball Championships for Secondary Schools remains Nigeria’s flagship event for talent identification. “Some products of the Nestle Milo Championships have done the nation proud at international competitions’’. He recalled names like Mohammed Bukar now based in the United States and Canada based Edwin Jerry who were products of the championship.

Other national team players like Olumide Oyedeji, Anyebe Ujo and Nkechi Akashiele and others also had their foundation in the Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championships.

The FIBA Zone 3 Scribe, Joe Apu commends the Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball programme as very outstanding in the zone which has Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger and Liberia.

The qualifying teams will arrive in Lagos on the 1st of December 2014. The players’ accreditation starts on Tuesday 9am at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium Lagos while the championship starts with the Round Robin games at 1 o’clock in the afternoon.