NIGERIA. Abuja: This year’s Mark D’Ball Men’s Basketball competition boasts a new champion: the Nigeria Customs Basketball team. Nigeria Customs defeated Mo Heat in the tournament’s championship match, 61–55, at the Indoor Sports Hall, Package B, MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
At the end of the first quarter, the score was 15-15. Nigeria Customs began the last period of play with more fervour and focus, gained ground, and eventually managed to hold off a late challenge from Mo Heats to win the match by a margin of 6 points.
Rewards
Mo Heat, who finished in second place, received N1.5 million; Gmbe United, who won the bronze medal, received N1 million; and Nigeria Customs, who won, was awarded N2 million.
With 25 goals, Kanyinsola Odufuwa leads the Gombe Bulls in scoring, and Wisdom Anyaoha added 17 dunks.
Abba Yola, a representative of the minister of youth and sports development, as well as the directors of sports from the FCT, Plateau, Niger, and Benue were in attendance at the championship game.
Mo Heats, who had already defeated the Customs side in the semifinal, was unbeaten and the early favourites to win.
Dino Melaye, a former senator from the 8th parliament, asked the Federal Government and the Ministry of Sports to do more to improve the sporting industry in the country.
Melaye, donated N300,000 for the winners and N200,000 for the first runner-up, Mark D Ball, and described the tournament as top-notch, and the best basketball competition in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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