The 2019 edition of the yearly Ajanah inter local government basketball championship is once again set to take place in Okene, Kogi State.
The Nigerian Basketball Federation-rated Championship that attracts basketball players from all over the country is coming up this year after it suffered the setback of postponement in the last edition.
The Chairman of the championship’s Local Organizing Committee, Hon. Justice Siyaka Momohjimoh Usman, had pacified followers of the game that the postponement was due to “conditions beyond the organizers’ control last year.” He noted that was the first time the championship was postponed and promised it would never happen again all things being equal.
He made this vow in Lokoja while reviewing the programs of the 2019 edition of the championship with the organizing committee.
He said the positives to be taken from that postponement was that the 2019 edition promises to be better in terms of preparation, organization and the quality and standard of the championship.
He however used the medium to crave the support of the general public, especially the relevant sporting authorities, noting that the objective of gainfully engaging the youth during the yuletide season would be better enhanced if all hands were on deck.
He stated that the competition had become a household name amongst the country’s sporting world, especially basketball enthusiasts.
According to him, the sponsorship of the competition would not relent in inculcating the virtues of sportsmanship and purposefulness in Nigerian youths through the game of basketball while emphasizing that the choice of Okene, as the hosting community, was to systematically inject enduring peaceful attitude in the youth and the Kogi Central Geo-political zone of Kogi State.
He therefore urged the youth, and even parents, to take advantage of the championship by encouraging their children and wards to participate in the game saying there were values and fun even in spectatorship.
While thanking the sponsors and patrons of the competition, particularly his lordship, Hon. Justice Nasiru Ajanah, the Chief Judge of Kogi state, and the clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Ataba Sani Omolori, for their unflinching support and commitment to the continuous hosting of the game, he also appreciated “others who have contributed, in one way or the other, for making the championship see the light of the day in 2019.”
He particularly singled out Olumide Oyedeji, the former captain of Nigerian basketball national team, De Tigers, and the NBBF for their consistence in ensuring the success of the championship every year.
The Chaiman did not also mince words in commending and appreciating the Kogi State government for supporting the championship over the years and even proposing to list the championship in its annual sporting events.
“The provision of this support, coupled with those of security agencies in the success of a championship of this magnitude can not be overemphasized” he said.
While using the opportunity to appeal to lovers of the game to hold their breath till the commencement of the competition on 27th December, the Technical Director of the championship, Mr. Ajibarede Bello, disclosed that the 2019 edition was going to witness an enlarged participation with female teams also listed among those to compete for the championship’s highest prize in that category.
He said in addition to this innovation, other side attractions await players and spectators who will grace the competition meant to last up to 30th December, 2019.
“The technical aspect of the game, including officiating, would be technologically driven this time” according to him.
He said there were already other major improvements in aspects of the championship which also include the complete reconstruction of the basketball court.
The “ultimate target here is to turn the arena into globally-acceptable indoor standard in the nearest future” he said.
He added that the organizers were always mindful of spectators’ needs and branding the championship to enrich the glamour of the competition.
The championship beckons with a lot of promises as the Okene venue of the event has already started witnessing the usual frenzy and wearing the colorful outlook that normally accompany the championship as the town anticipates its commencement.
