Former international basketballer, Ugo Udezue, is set to host a three-day South East Basketball Tournament in Ebonyi State, as part of his efforts to develop the game in the region.

Udezue, who is the South-East Representative on the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), yesterday confirmed that the tournament will run from June 5 to June 7 on a new basketball court built by him.

Speaking on the tournament, Udezue, who is also the AFA Sports CEO, said: “Ebonyi State had no viable basketball court in the whole state, but the state is producing a lot of players. Half of the Coal City Blazers (the only Premier League team in the southeast) are from Ebonyi.

“We cannot keep putting the burden on the government. As stakeholders, in addition to creating an enabling environment, we must commit to sports infrastructure, especially in the southeast, where football is the dominant sport.

“We will continue to push development through infrastructure. We have donated uprights in Enugu for the indoor stadium, and have now built a court in Abakiliki. We are grateful to other chairmen in the other states that have helped reinvigorate existing structures, and we will continue to push development through infrastructure.”

The tournament will be held at the Ebonyi Shopping Mall, Abakaliki, with participating teams drawn from the five South-East states: Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Anambra, and Abia.

A major highlight of the event will be the commissioning of the Richard Idike Basketball Court, a facility facilitated by Udezue to help basketball development and talent discovery.

The Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports in Ebonyi State, Richard Idike, is expected to attend as the Special Guest of Honour and will officially inaugurate the court during the tournament.

Udezue noted that the initiative aligns with the vision of expanding basketball opportunities in the region and creating pathways for young athletes to develop their careers in the sport.

The tournament is expected to attract basketball stakeholders, coaches, administrators, and fans from across the South-East, providing a platform for exciting competition and the continued growth of the game in Ebonyi State.