NCBC Basketball Club emerged champions of the Youth Basketball Tournament organised by the Bosun Tijani Foundation in collaboration with the Ogun State Government, carting home a ₦3 million cash prize after a hard-fought 66–52 victory over Ilupeju Raiders in the final.
The thrilling finale was played on Sunday at the Alake Sports Complex, Ijeja, Abeokuta, and lived up to expectations as both teams traded baskets in a tense opening quarter that ended 16–16. NCBC, however, took control in the second quarter with an emphatic 27–16 run to open an 11-point gap and head into halftime leading 43–32.
Buoyed by their dominance, the highly enterprising NCBC side extended their advantage in the third quarter, winning it 13–10 to stretch the scoreline to 56–42. Both teams finished evenly in the final quarter at 10–10, as NCBC maintained composure to seal a convincing 14-point win and lift the trophy.
For their efforts, runners-up Ilupeju Raiders received a giant dummy cheque of ₦1.5 million, while third-placed Game Elevate were awarded ₦1 million at the end of the three-day youth basketball championship, which featured 12 teams from across Nigeria.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said the tournament was designed to provide a platform for young people to express themselves and harness their potential through sports.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, using sports to promote teamwork, discipline and opportunity among youths.
Dr. Tijani commended Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his administration’she investment in sports development, while also lauding the State Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, participating coaches, players and corporate partners for ensuring the success of the competition.
He further revealed his personal interest in investing in a basketball team and expressed the foundation’s readiness to stage the tournament again in Ogun State by December next year.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Oluwatoyin Taiwo, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to youth development, particularly through sports.
He praised the Bosun Tijani Foundation for using basketball as a tool to discover and nurture young talents, while applauding the players for exhibiting sportsmanship, unity and competitive spirit throughout the tournament.
The action-packed final was witnessed by several dignitaries, including the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle; the Baba Oba of Owu Kingdom and basketball icon, Chief Alabi Adelanwa; as well as top sports administrators and stakeholders.
The tournament closed with renewed optimism that structured youth sports initiatives can serve as a powerful vehicle for talent discovery, social cohesion and sustainable development.
