The Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, is set for the first edition of the Democracy Day Basketball Championship, which will be held in Abuja from 9th – 12th June, 2024.
The Chairman of the organising Committee, Democracy Day Basketball Championship, Brigadier General Aliyu Abdullahi, Retired, made this known while briefing Journalists in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
According to him, the Defence Chief is gender sensitive and as such, the championship should be for both the male and the female categories. He added that the males would have 10 teams which would be drawn within Abuja and the environs states including the female basketball teams.
“The objectives of this basketball championship are in line with the Chief of Defence’s philosophy on the use of non -kinetic approach as a vital tool to peace and by extension for National Security as well as adding colour to the Democracy Day to spice up activities of that day,” he said.
He noted that it is going to be the first edition of the basketball championship and they hope that it is going to be sustained, adding that there would be complete inclusiveness among members from the security agencies, people coming from the universities and Academia basketball.
Similarly, they shall be inviting veterans who have competed at both National and State levels for this championship, which will have their own game play on the 12th of June.
“Again, the intent of the competition is to promote Sports partnership amongst youths and the collaboration between security agencies and the civil military relations,” he added.
“This again is a way of promoting peace and national unity and integration.”
He noted that this will create an avenue for them to exercise and have a lot of sport forums.
General Abdullahi said that “it is a way of engaging the youths to keep them away from crimes”.
The two venues where this competition will hold are the Monaliza Sports and Recreation Centre and the Old Parade Ground.
