Basketball Veterans, Olympic Official Hail CDS Championship

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

The fourth edition of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Southwest Zone Independence Day Basketball Championship continued in Lagos on Wednesday with thrilling encounters, inspiring performances, and renewed calls for grassroots basketball development in Nigeria.

The championship, staged at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, is part of the CDS’ strategic initiative to use sports as a tool for youth engagement, unity, and the fight against social vices. Veteran players and administrators in attendance lauded the initiative, describing it as a critical pathway to nurturing talent and fostering national cohesion.

Former Nigerian international and Canada-based veteran, Emmanuel Olowu, commended the CDS for creating opportunities for young basketball players. He emphasized the importance of returning to fundamentals in grooming talent.

“The coaches need to go back to the drawing board and work on the basics—dribbling, shooting, screening, and lay-ups,” he said. “This initiative is pulling young people off the streets and away from crime, which is highly commendable.”

Echoing his sentiments, former D’Tigers captain and Vice President of the Nigerian Olympic Committee, Olumide Oyedeji, described the tournament as a unifying platform that is not only producing exciting basketball but also instilling values of discipline and teamwork.

“This is more than a championship; it’s about keeping the youth engaged, fostering unity, and showing love for the game and the country,” Oyedeji said. “The CDS has set the pace, and I hope corporate bodies and other stakeholders will invest in these young talents to help them become future stars.”

Day 2 served up electrifying contests with a mix of upsets and dominant performances. In the opening clash, Ekiti stunned the University of Ibadan 67–59 after a strong fourth-quarter comeback (20–6).

Oluyole Warriors delighted the home crowd with a hard-fought 73–64 win over Edo Beads, sealing the game with a powerful third-quarter surge (25–5). In another fiery matchup, Police Baton outclassed Osun United 75–49, displaying composure and physicality.

The Ogun Rockets showed resilience to overcome Ondo Riders 68–54, pulling away decisively in the final quarter (22–10). Meanwhile, Hoops & Reads dominated Sport Nation with a commanding 65–29 victory, never letting their opponents settle into the game.

In the final match of the day, Delta Force defeated Dodan Warriors 61–48. Delta Force controlled the first half with a 30–17 advantage, survived a third-quarter fightback (9–15), and sealed the win with a strong 22–16 finish.

Beyond the scores, the championship is already making an impact, with grassroots players gaining exposure and coaches urged to improve through clinics and mentorship from veterans. Both Olu and Oyedeji stressed the multiplier effect of the CDS’ intervention, calling it a blueprint for youth empowerment across Nigeria.

“This is a non-kinetic way of fighting insecurity,” Oyedeji said. “By engaging the youth positively, you keep them away from drugs, crime, and idleness while promoting unity and national pride.”

As the Southwest zone takes its turn hosting the championship after previous editions in Abuja, stakeholders hope the tournament will leave a lasting legacy of growth for basketball and a stronger foundation for future stars across the country.