Green Harps On Development Of Basketball In Rivers

The Rivers State Ministry of Sports has stressed the need to develop basketball from the grassroots level in the State.
Rivers State Sports Commissioner, Barrister Chris Green,  emphasised this during the final of the second edition of the D. A. F. Basketball Youth Festival in Port Harcourt last Sunday.
The festival, which kicked off on the 21st of August 2022, featured five categories namely, the Under -10, Under-13, Under-16, Under-18 and Under-19.
No fewer than 47 teams drawn from the length and breadth of Nigeria took part in the tournament.
The teams were drawn from different age groups and it turned to be a fiesta which showcased the very best of basketball skills from precocious and prodigious talent.
Barr Green, who played vital roles in the success of the festival, weighed in on the events of the day, the impact of sports on youngsters and what the event portends for the future of sports in Rivers State.
“I don’t think, that basketball would have existed in Rivers State without Fubara Onyanabo. He’s done very well. That’s why we’re saying that we’re going to encourage him with everything we have,” Barr Green explained.
“You can see the cadres, from junior to intermediate and senior. With over forty teams coming to play, it’s definitely not a mean feat. It’s huge.
“Like I keep saying, I’m not the Commissioner for football. We are giving attention to everybody (all sports). This is the second time I’m coming to basketball for an occasion like this, and by the grace of God, of course we can see what is happening. We’ll try to help even those that helped basketball grow.
The ceremony, which was held at the Rivers State Basketball Court, saw many participants winning medals, awards and receiving gifts.
Other dignitaries that graced the occasion were Coach M. D. Opuwari (Basketball mentor of Barr Green), fondly referred to as the great, great grandfather of basketball in Rivers State, and one of the greatest basketball players ever to don the blue and white colours for Rivers State, Abraham Clinton.
Barr Green further revealed that plans have been flagged off to improve the fortunes of all sports in Rivers State.