Oyo State defeated Lagos State 43-18 points to emerge winner of the maiden edition of the Otunba Babatunde Babalola Wheelchair Basketball tournament while Edo State overpowered Delta State by 30-02 points to pick the third placed medal.
The two-day tournament which held at the indoor Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere Lagos had six states in attendance.
The teams that won were rewarded with medals, trophies and cash prices.
Tournament sponsor, Otunba Babatunde Babalola, promised the special athletes more competitions to keep them busy.
Babalola who has been a pillar in Nigeria basketball circle says sponsoring various competitions is not out of abundance but his love of the game.
“I was a player myself during my university days and I still play as veteran. So I see sponsorship of basketball competitions as my own way of giving back to the basketball community because I learnt a lot while playing actively for my school, Federal University of Technology, Akure.
“I believe that when one is alive and able he or she should support the society,” he further observed.
Otunba Babalola promised that the OBB Wheelchair Basketball Tournament will be an annual event with a view of making it a national competition.
He, however enjoined the Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation to do everything within it’s power to ensure regular competition for the special basketball players in Nigeria.
Captain of Team Oyo, William Ukari, applauded Babalola gesture of doing so much for basketball in the country and enjoined other Nigerian to emulate the Ilawe Ekiti-born philanthropy to help raise the stake in sports development and promotion in the country.
