Olopade Elected Vice President International Wheelchair Basketball Africa

The president, Wheelchair Basketball Federation of Nigeria, Bukola Olopade has been elected vice president,International Wheelchair Basketball Africa.

Olopade, the former commissioner for youth and Sport in Ogun State was elected unopposed when his opponent stepped down claiming the positive contribution of the Nigerian representative to the development of the game in Nigeria was responsible for his decision to step down. The election was held In Algeria Thursday during the ongoing 12th edition if the Africa Wheelchair Basketball competition‎.

An elated Olopade while speaking from Algeria by phone having expressed his happiness for the victory said he was willing to help contribute to the growth of the game on the continent and beyond attributed the success of the federation to the grand patron of the federation Sir Victor Ochei, the former Speaker, Delta State house of Assembly for believing in the ability of the board members and for his sponsorship of the annual championship of the federation in the last four years.

Victor Ochei International Wheelchair Basketball Tournament

Olopade further expressed optimism that the female national team at the on going Africa Wheelchair basketball competition will pick the 2016 Olympic tickets having won two of their matches and are likely to play in the final of the competition this weekend.

“I want to expresses appreciation to our grand patron and the National Sport Commission for this feat which is a glory to Nigeria having been elected Vice President, International Wheelchair Basketball Africa and I want to assure that the game will improve beyond the continent”, he said.

Team Lagos And Team Delta Win 4th Edition Of The Honorable Victor Ochei International wheelchair basketball Tournament

Lagos state put up a spirited effort over the weekend at the men’s final of the 4th edition of the Honorable Victor Ochei international wheelchair basketball tournament to claim the sum of 1.5 million niara cash prize and a giant trophy for emerging as the 2015 champions.

Honourable Victor Ochei Addressing the players and fans during the finals while Director General, Lagos state sports commission, Mr Ayo Agbesuwa looks on

The game witnessed by the sponsor and former speaker of the Delta state house of assemble, Honourable Victor Ochei, President of the Wheelchair Basketball Federation, Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director General, Lagos state sports commission, Mr Ayo Agbesuwa, Lagos state Liason Officer of the National sports commission, Pastor (Mrs) Tayo Oreweme amongst other notable dignitaries saw a determined Lagos team reclaim the title they lost last year by 39points to 34 against Oyo.

In the women finals, Delta state outclassed Imo by 14 points to 5 as they went home with a giant trophy and 500,000 naira as the grand prize.

The third place of the women category went to Oyo who defeated Ogun while Edo beat Ogun, 53-1 in men’s category.

The duo of Remi Obasanya and David Segun were awarded 100,000 each after they emerged as the Most Valuable players of the tournament.

Speaking after the medal and trophy presentation to the teams, Ochei expressed his delight at the improved level of the competition as he promised to continue doing all his best for the sport as the grand patron of the federation.

He praised Olopade for his tenacity and vision in reposition the sport which is fast becoming popular in Nigeria as he appealed to well meaning Nigerians and the corporate society to invest in the sports.

Ochei Reiterates Commitment To Wheelchair Basketball Development

Former Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Sir Victor Ochei has reiterated his commitment to the development of wheelchair basketball in the country as the fourth edition of the victor Ochei International wheelchair basketball championship hots up.

Also, senator Olamilekan Adeola a.k.a Yayi representing Alimosho senatorial district of Lagos State has supported the wheelchair Basketball Federation of Nigeria with donation of 1million naira for its activities.

According to Bukola Olopade, President WBFN while speaking with sports writers informed that the former speaker who has been a major supporter of the federation has pleged to sponsor this years edition of the championship as his own way of empowering the special sports athletes.

He further disclosed that Ochei’s love for the special sports athletes was the main reason he will continue to sponsor the championship despite the fact hat he is no longer in government, saying that many people are of the opinion that he will not continue because he is not in power but because he loves special sports he is ready to continue with the sponsorship.

The former speaker according to Olopade has urged the federation to put all machineries in place to ensure that the wheelchair basketball team qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

Victor Ochei. Sponsor victor Ochei International wheelchair basketball championship. photo credit lagostimes.com

The WBFN boss, having assured that the athletes will not disappoint at the qualifier later in the year in Algeria expressed appreciation to senator Adeola for his financial support saying that

“the board is doing all it could to make life bearable and meaningful for the special sports athletes and that he is calling on all influencial Nigerians to support the wheelchair basketball game in the country because there are many talents that will make the country proud through the game.

We wiil not disappoint at the Olympics qualifier later in the year” he said.