Oyo Braves Basketball Team on Monday defeated Lasgidi Kings 21-14 to win the maiden South-West edition of the Asiwaju Renewed Hope Basketball Championship in Akure.
The two-day championship which started on Saturday and ended on Monday, was held at Democracy Park, Akure.
It featured 12 teams from Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti and Ondo states.
The competition was organised by the South-West Basketball Association and sponsored by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
In the semi-final match, Lasgidi Kings defeated Rising Stars of Oyo to 20-16, while Oyo Braves beat Eko Islanders 21-12 to qualify for the final.
The minister, represented by his aide, Mr Kunle Saliu, said sports remained an effective tool for steering youths from social vices and promoting greatness.
Tunji-Ojo expressed satisfaction with the turnout and pledged continued partnership with the South-West Basketball Association to organise more youth-focused sports competitions.
“Sports bring the youth together and in my quest to support the re-election of my principal, Mr President, through youth participation and because he knows that sport is one of the strongest tools that brings the youth together.
“My advice for the participants of this competition is that this competition is not all about winning. It is all about unlocking opportunities, hope, progress and a sportsmanship spirit.
“We are bringing the youth together now to promote peace and national unity,”he said.
Also, the South-West representative of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Olumide Oyedeji, described the championship as successful and beneficial to talent discovery.
Oyedeji said the tournament provided opportunities for young players across the South-West to showcase their abilities and pursue basketball careers.
He commended Ondo State Government, sports stakeholders and Tunji-Ojo for supporting the competition and ensuring a peaceful event.
Coaches Taiwo Ajibola Eleniyan and Momoh Zakari from Oyo and Osun States respectively, described the tournament as a major platform for youth development.
They called on the Nigeria Basketball Federation and the South-West Basketball Association to sustain the competition in order to nurture more young talents in basketball.
Some players also shared their experiences after competing against teams from across the region.
Akinbola Olawale of Rising Stars and Chibike of Ondo Raiders appreciated the sponsors of the event.
Also Jimoh Sodiq from Ekiti expressed excitement over the exposure, quality of officiating and overall organisation of the tournament.
He called for more basketball competitions in the region.