UNILAG wins AMK/NUGA 3X3 basketball championship

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) male team at the weekend in Abuja defeated University of Ibadan to win the maiden Ahmadu Musa Kida (AMK) Foundation/Nigeria University Games (NUGA) 3X3 basketball competition.

Aside the giant trophy and other prizes, the victory also gives Unilag the ticket to represent Nigeria at the forthcoming World University Tournament.

Perennial winners of NUGA basketball events, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria settled for the bronze medal.In the female category, Bayero University Kano (BUK) subdued fellow northern team, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) to pick the gold, while University of Ibadan put up a good fight to settle for the bronze medal.

ABU defeated Nasssrawa to pick bronze in men and UI defeated UNIZIK in the women category.Speaking after the competition, Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, who was the Special Guest of Honour, lauded AMK Foundation as an example of what NGOs can do to promote youth empowerment through sports.

Dalung confirmed government’s readiness to reform the sports sector, insisting that the only pathway to growth will be through the grassroots. He also thanked NUGA for expanding its programs beyond the biannual sporting festival.

AMK Foundation President, Musa Ahmadu Kida in his speech expressed the Foundation’s commitment to empowering the youths through education and sports, saying the investment in NUGA basketball is a continuation of that service.

He confirmed the foundation’s interest in partnering with NUGA in other basketball enterprises.Also speaking at the event, NUGA President, Professor Stephen Hamafyelto thanked AMK for the sponsorship, while urging other private stakeholders to borrow a leaf from the firm.

He also canvassed for adequate funding for NUGA from government to ensure the sporting sector within the university system remained vibrant.Other side events at the occasion were a slam dunk competition, free throws and a three-point shoot out. Most valuable player awards were given to outstanding male and female players of the competition.