In a strategic move to bolster the development of basketball in Nigeria, Webber Hoops and Courts, the organizers of the recently concluded Webber 3×3 Basketball Championship, have unveiled plans to spearhead the construction of basketball courts nationwide.
Read Also: Abuja Metro Basketball Tournament Holds December 15
The championship, held at the 1004 Housing Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos, saw Kingsmen emerge victorious by defeating White Fire with a score of 14 to nine points.
Opeyemi Babalola, the MD/CEO of Webber Hoops and Courts Engineering Limited, expressed the organization’s commitment to elevating basketball to a status akin to football in Nigeria. The initiative also aims to demonstrate that basketball can be played in various open spaces, similar to football.
Babalola emphasized that beyond organizing basketball events and identifying talents, Webber Hoops and Courts is dedicated to constructing basketball courts at all levels, whether permanent or mobile.
Drawing inspiration from his experience in Angola, where the prevalence of basketball courts contributed to the sport’s success, Babalola aims to replicate the model in Nigeria.
How You Can Get a Chance To Become a Millionaire
The MD/CEO highlighted the significance of providing basketball infrastructure across the country, noting that the construction of courts at various locations is pivotal for the growth of the sport.
To address space constraints, the organization is introducing mobile courts, which can be utilized in any available space, whether temporarily or permanently. Schools, churches, mosques, and other entities interested in organizing basketball tournaments can leverage these mobile courts for their events.
Regarding the 3×3 Webber Basketball Championship, which featured 16 teams, Babalola explained the choice of the 1004 Housing Estate as the venue, citing its historical attraction of basketball stars to its facilities.
He revealed plans to extend the tournament to the Mainland and Abuja, emphasizing the inclusive nature of the sport by allowing both girls and boys to play on the same teams.
Webber Hoops and Courts’ comprehensive approach, encompassing both events and infrastructure development, aims to propel basketball into a new era of accessibility and popularity across Nigeria.
