The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, has announced plans to institute a comprehensive South East Regional Basketball Championship aimed at discovering and nurturing grassroots sports talent across the region.
General Musa made the disclosure in Umuahia after visiting the Umuahia Township Stadium at the conclusion of his three-day official working visit to Abia State.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Defence, Mrs. Leah Katung-Babatunde in Abuja.
According to the statement, the Minister spent time interacting with young participants at an inaugural multi-age basketball camp organized by the Crossover Foundation and sponsored by Nigerian diaspora basketball icons, Godsgift Achiuwa and Precious Achiuwa.
Commending the foundation and the Abia State Government for their synergy in expanding youth sports infrastructure, the Defence Minister himself an avid basketball player announced an immediate donation of ₦2,000,000 to support the camp’s operations.
General Musa assured the young athletes that the upcoming regional championship will serve as a premier platform uniting emerging talent from all five South Eastern states.
Urging parents to actively encourage their children to participate in organized sports, the Minister emphasized the role of athletics in building character, leadership, and national cohesion.
The statement further revealed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria will soon initiate targeted sports recruitment drives to offer promising young athletes dedicated pathways into the military.
As a sign of appreciation, the Honourable Minister was presented with a signed basketball by the organizers.