About twelve teams are expected to compete for honors at the second edition of the Ibadan Basketball Championship, scheduled to tip off on Friday at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Oyo State.

 

The Ibadan Basketball Championship is an initiative of former basketball players in the Diaspora whose root is from Ibadan.

 

A statement from the Ibadan Ballers in Diaspora, the tournament organizers, said male and female teams within Ibadan would compete for the cash prize of N500,000.

 

The statement read in part, “We all came together to support basketball development in Ibadan. This act of giving back is a selfless service to God and humanity fueled by the passion we all have for the game of basketball.

 

“This beautiful game brought all of us together, and we were all once kids playing basketball in Ibadan. We understand some of the challenges we faced, which included a lack of basketball Championships to improve our game back in the day. The government alone cannot make it happen, which led us to come together under the umbrella of Ibadan Ballers in Diaspora.

 

“We held the maiden edition in January 2022, and we are back again with the second edition, which is coming up on the 6th and 7th of January at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.”

 

One of the fastest growing Clubs in Oyo State, Hoops Dream Academy, founded by Barrister Damola Awosika, is one of the clubs competing in the male and female events.

 

The two-day event aims to support basketball development in Ibadan and Oyo State.

 

The CEO of Hoops Dreams Academy, Barrister Awosika, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Oyo State Basketball Association (OSBA), said that his team is ready for the championship, adding that his Club’s growth, and togetherness overtime, good chemistry, friendship, and trust are what keeps the Hoops Dreams Academy going.

 

Awosika further explained that the IBC event, like most other tournaments, allows players to showcase and develop their skills, thereby gaining more confidence, strength, and experience.