News

The Aerobics and Other Sports Section of Ikoyi Club 1938, Lagos, was buzzing with excitement on Saturday, August 10, 2024, as the first edition of the Junior Summer Basketball Tournament kicked off at the prestigious social club. Vice Chairman of Ikoyi Club 1938, Rufai Ladipo, officially opened the championship, explaining that the tournament was organized to bring young people together during their holidays. The aim is to foster healthy competition, create new friendships, share ideas, network, and bond collectively to achieve results. Rufai Ladipo praised the Chairperson of the Aerobics and Other Sports Section, Kikelomo Asuelime, for her innovative contributions since taking office. He expressed the club’s happiness that this section, one of the eight in the prestigious club, chose to organize a basketball tournament to keep youths engaged during their vacation. Ladipo also expressed hope that some of the players might eventually play in the NBA. He urged them to be disciplined, embrace the spirit of fair play, and adhere to the rules throughout the tournament. Chairperson Kikelomo Asuelime stated that the competition was organized to develop basketball at the grassroots level and give young players a chance to express themselves on the court. She announced that the championship would become an annual event. She also expressed gratitude to their sponsors, describing them as partners in progress. She appealed to corporate Nigeria to support Ikoyi Club in further developing basketball in the country. “I must express my warmest appreciation to our sponsors for making the tournament successful. Without them, we cannot achieve much. Kudos to Pocari Sweat, Selly Fak Energy Services Limited, Universal Mc Con Limited, and Senforce Insurance Brokers Limited for their support. We look forward to further support from them in future editions and appeal to other corporate organizations to partner with us in developing grassroots basketball due to its immense benefits for our youths.” Captain of the section, Bolaji Pearse, expressed hope that the tournament would improve the players’ knowledge of basketball. He advised them to stay focused and not lose hope. “My advice to the players is to stay focused and never lose hope. If they play badly in a game, they should not be discouraged. Instead, they should go back to the drawing board, train harder, and make amends for future matches,” she stressed. Players Chioke Anthony Ikemefuna, Adejare Soketun, and Lewis Beake, along with parent Abisoye Soketun, praised the organizers and expressed hope that the tournament would continue annually. “We’re really excited about this competition because of the immense benefits it offers to the students. We look forward to it being an annual event. The tournament has given us the opportunity to express ourselves fully on the court. We hope our games will improve, and we appeal to corporate organizations to support Ikoyi Club in their drive for grassroots sports development,” they chorused. On Day 1 of the tournament, RangerRockers defeated Ikoyi Team B by 50 baskets to 17, Whitesand beat Doozy Stars 17-8, and Topfield edged out Provacios 26-25. Eight teams are participating in the round-robin games: RangerRockers, Ikoyi Team A, Ikoyi Team B, AZ Read, Doozy Stars, Provacios, Whitesand, and Top Field.