The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), OFR, has announced plans to establish a South-East Regional Basketball Championship to identify and develop grassroots sports talent across the five states of the region.
The Minister made the announcement in Umuahia after visiting the Umuahia Township Stadium at the end of his three-day official working visit to Abia State, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence on Saturday.
During the visit, General Musa interacted with participants at the inaugural multi-age basketball camp organised by the Crossover Foundation and sponsored by Nigerian diaspora basketball stars Godsgift Achiuwa and Precious Achiuwa.
Commending the organisers and the Abia State Government for their partnership in promoting youth sports development, the Defence Minister praised the initiative as a model for nurturing future champions and expanding opportunities for young Nigerians.
To support the programme, General Musa announced an immediate donation of ₦2 million to the basketball camp, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to empowering young people through sports.
He explained that the proposed South-East Regional Basketball Championship would provide a competitive platform for talented athletes from across the five South-East states to showcase their abilities and advance their sporting careers.
The Minister also urged parents to encourage their children to participate in organised sports, stressing that athletics instil discipline, leadership, teamwork, and patriotism while contributing to national unity.
General Musa further disclosed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would soon commence targeted sports recruitment initiatives designed to provide talented young athletes with opportunities to build careers in the military through their sporting abilities.
In appreciation of his support for youth sports development, the organisers presented the Defence Minister with a signed basketball at the end of the event.
