The second version of the Beneath-16 Mainland 3×3 Basketball Event for secondary colleges tipped off this weekend, 8 November, drawing 16 taking part faculty groups; a rise from final yr’s 12, alongside an expanded roster of 64 basketball gamers and eight pupil avid gamers.
The occasion, organised underneath the administration of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is a part of a broader youth-development technique that integrates aggressive sports activities, digital innovation, and community-level expertise grooming.
The primary version, held in December 2024, catered to Island colleges.
This yr marks the 2nd and inaugural Mainland editions, giving college students on either side equal entry to structured competitors.
The competitors concluded with intense finals throughout basketball and eSports: within the 3×3 Basketball boys closing, Topfield Faculty misplaced (11) – (12) to Ilupeju Senior Grammar Faculty, in a dramatic, slim end to safe the Mainland boys title.
Topfield’s women (22) delivered a dominant efficiency within the Women Ultimate, showcasing depth and self-discipline to annihilate Dansol Excessive Faculty (2).
Within the eSports (NBA2K) closing, a two-point thriller capped the eSports competitors, illustrating rising gaming aptitude amongst college students. As Avi-Cenna Worldwide Faculty (59) narrowly defeated Wellspring Faculty (57).
In the meantime, the girls and boys groups from Avi-Cenna Worldwide Faculty completed in third place total of their respective basketball classes, reflecting a balanced program throughout gender traces.
Senior Particular Assistant to the Governor on Sports activities Advertising and Administration, Onaopepo Adu, emphasised the significance of making extra developmental platforms for younger athletes:
“That is the second version of the Beneath-16 Mainland 3 on 3 Basketball Event for secondary colleges. We are literally attempting to increase it, not simply on the court docket, however digitally as properly. That’s why we added an eSports version to this yr’s occasion.”
He additional highlighted the administration’s long-term imaginative and prescient:
“We introduced each non-public and authorities colleges collectively to see if we will get expertise from right here. Two of our MVPs from the earlier version obtained invited to the NBA Junior Cup. We would like extra college students to expertise alternatives like that and hopefully even go skilled.”
Mr Adu revealed why gaming was added: “Due to the expansion of eSports in Nigeria, a number of younger individuals are gaming. We partnered with Recreation Evo, who will give the winner a year-long entry to their studio freed from cost. Persons are truly being profitable by means of gaming. We would like these children to showcase themselves.”
In contrast to earlier years, the 2024 version data considerably improved feminine turnout.
“Final yr, we didn’t have sufficient women competing, so we intentionally pushed for inclusivity. We’re rising the feminine facet of the game, so it’s not all the time in regards to the boys,” mentioned Mr Adu.
Senior Particular Assistant to the Governor on Sports activities, Damilare Orimoloye, additionally recommended the match’s mix of personal and public-school athletes:
“My pleasure is seeing non-public and public faculty athletes coming collectively. It speaks to collaboration and cross-cultural training. They’re exchanging hugs, studying, and bonding past obstacles. It’s one thing we are going to proceed to advertise.”
He additionally emphasised the significance of steady competitors:
“Athletes who carry out badly right here don’t imply they don’t seem to be good, they simply want extra video games. Recreation after recreation, competitors after competitors, we get to see them develop.”
Mr Orimoloye additionally highlighted infrastructural investments:
“We’re supporting infrastructures throughout divisions. Indoor halls are being constructed so college students can take pleasure in services inside their locality. After bodily exercise, what’s subsequent is mind exercise; we are going to proceed seminars and symposiums led by the DG of Lagos Sports activities Fee, Hon. Lekan Fatodu.”
Coach Godspower Anoka of Topfield Colleges expressed satisfaction together with his group’s efficiency:
“It has been an superior expertise. The women and boys have surpassed my expectations. Our secret is straightforward: steady development, coaching, and confidence. We additionally put together by enjoying 3-on-3 as a result of it is vitally bodily and brings out the perfect from gamers.”
He additionally applauded the organisers:
“That is our first 3-on-3 match, and it has been fascinating. We had been welcomed with jerseys, which is unusual. Large kudos to the organisers.”
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The match was conceptualised by SSA Sports activities Advertising & Administration, Onaopepo Adu, pushed by a private ardour for basketball improvement and a want to provide secondary faculty college students a platform to specific expertise.
“These college students are the leaders of tomorrow. Many younger individuals don’t have platforms. We wish to develop basketball right here, particularly with BAL rising on the continent.”
In the meantime, organisers have set sights on: Extra taking part colleges, expanded digital competitors lanes, larger feminine illustration, and deeper expertise scouting alternatives.
“We hope to do that greater subsequent yr as properly,” Mr Adu concluded.
