Osun State Under 16 Basketball Team on Sunday, May 2, 2021, coasted home a bronze medal at the Rising Stars U16 Basketball Championship which held in Akure, Ondo State.
The weeklong competition, powered by a renowned, international Basketball player, Olumide Oyedeji Youth Foundation involved teams from all South Western State of Nigeria where Lagos State emerged the overall champions after defeating Oyo State 60-57 in the final.
Team Osun, under the tutelage of experienced, veteran Coach Taiwo Ajibola popularly called ‘Eleniyan’ walloped Team Ogun (66-50), hammered Team Ekiti (49-38) and bruised past Team Ondo (60-57) but surrendered to Team Oyo (58-81) as well as the eventual champions, Team Lagos (55-87) to drop to the third place.
The ‘Eleniyan Boys’ however did double over Ogun State with a resounding 60-49 victory in the third-place to finish second runners up.
‘Eleniyan’, who praised the young lads for their doggedness appreciated all those who always support Team Osun Basketball Team such as Osun Chairman of the club, Engineer Opeyemi Babalola among others whenever there is a clarion call to represent the state
“It’s not by our making but through God’s Grace and the support, we receive from people. Though we are not satisfied by finishing the 3rd bronze medal it is not bad. We shall continue to train very hard to become champions in the next edition.”
To cap it up, a teenage sensation from Team Osun, Adewale Rasaq of Fakunle Unity High School, Osogbo received an award as one of the best five players of the tournament selected by the organisers and coordinators of the event.
The team and the coaching crew have returned to Osogbo on Sunday.
