THE maiden Oba Erediauwa Basketball Championship started yesterday at the indoor or Odia Sports Hall of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium with the sponsor Princess Theresa Erediauwa promising to continuously throw her weight behind the tournament.
Princess Theresa Erediuwa who was represented at the Press Parley which heralded the three-day-events Prince Richard Ogiogwa also promised to make it an annual championship.
He announced prize/monies for prospective Basket ballers who wins as N50,000 for the first, N30 for the second while the athlete who place third will take home the sum of N10,000.
He explained that her mother Princess Theresa Erediauwa has donated three trophies courtesy her UVBI N’OKHUA Foundation which are up for grabs or would be won during the championship.
According to the co-ordinator and Head Coach of Edo State Basketball, Victor Umoru the aim of the championship was to popularize basketball and discover young talents who would excel in competitions and take up career in the sport in future.
“I want to use this opportunities to thank Princess Theresa Erediauwa for deeming it necessary to assist in developing Basketball in the state.
For many years Basketball have not been sponsored. This is because sports philanthropists and corporate bodies did not show interest in developing it.”
The Director of Sports of Edo State Sports Council, Charity Igbinedion expressed gratitude to the organizer and the trophies donor and sponsor for her passion as well asmagnanimity to help develop Basketball in the state.
He encouraged the organizer and sponsor Princess Erediauwa to continue to do their utmost to develop the sport in the state adding that her kind gesture will go a long way to reshaping the destinies of the young people.
Six teams namely Al, Uvbi B/B Club, A2 Uniben Ugbowo Club, A3 Benin Beads, B1 Rock Lakers, B2 Raptors and B3 Bini Hoops are participating in the championship.
