Fortune Basketball Academy (FOBA) of Ogun State has emerged winner at the maiden edition of WESIE South-West Regional Basketball Tournament 2021 concluded on Thursday.
The Abeokuta based basketball academy under the tutelage of Coach Iyabode Adebayo defeated her counterpart from Oyo, Hoopsdream by 24/22 points at the tension soaked final decided at the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta.
The three days regional grassroots basketball tournament featured five basketball clubs from Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti and Ogun State, and it met the expectation of the organisers and sports loving fans who came across the Gateway State and beyond to lend their support to the tournament.
Similarly, in the third place battle, Books and Ball Academy from Osun State victory over Pacers from Ekiti State was separated by two points as the match ended 14/12 after being stopped for few minutes due to heavy downpour just as Sunshine Angels of Ondo State placed fifth.
Highlights of the tournament was the presentation of medals and trophies to the top three teams that excelled at the event, while individual awards were awarded as well.
It was double honour for Zaccheaus Tunmise of Fortune Basketball Academy as she emerged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Best Shooter while Ajoke Olatunde from Hoopdreams, Oyo State won the Leadership Award.
Newsnigeriaonline.com.ng recalls that the Women Elite Sports Empowerment Initiative (WESIE) basketball tournament tagged ‘Balling to Impact” was organised to inspire empower and create enabling environment for young women and grassroots coaches to develop and impact their communities positively.
Also, WESIE supports coach Iyabode program because she is their affiliates coach, and it is the first time ever basketball tournament in the southwest region for female players.
Meanwhile, the Association of Former Female Athletes In Nigeria (AFFAN), Ogun State chapter has recognised the duo of Coach Kemi Oyebola, and Latifat Tijani for making the state and country proud at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games, Japan.
Oyebola, National Para- Powerlifting Coach led Team Nigeria to resounding victory at the Tokyo Games while Tijani won the Nigeria first gold medal at the event.
They were presented portraits during the basketball tournament to show their love and appreciation for their feats at the Tokyo Games as well as at the World Para-Powerlifting Championship held in Manchester, United Kingdom in March, 2021.
