FAZ3 Academies Tournament 2025: Organizing committee unveils plans

….Warriors Basketball Court to wear new look

With the inaugural edition of the FAZ3 Academies Tournament scheduled to take lace from July 4 to 8, 2025, preparations are in full swing as the Organizing Committee has announced a major facelift for the Warriors Ilupeju Court, the venue of the event.

Speaking at the inauguration of the committee, FIBA Africa Zone 3 President, Col. Sam Ahmedu (Rtd), expressed gratitude to the members for their dedication and emphasized the tournament’s growing significance.

He noted that the event has already drawn the attention of FIBA Africa’s leadership, underscoring its potential impact.

Committee Chairman, Elder Toba Shinkaye, thanked the president for entrusting the members with the task and assured that efforts would be made to deliver a top-tier tournament.

He revealed that the Warriors Basketball Court would undergo a transformation to create a more welcoming environment, with improvements in lighting and infrastructure, as highlighted by Babalola Opeyemi of Webber Engineering.”We have a big task ahead, and we will work around the clock to make this event a success. The facelift is crucial to ensure the venue meets the required standards,” Shinkaye stated.

During the meeting, Madam Barbara Harper was appointed Vice Chairman of the committee, and various sub-committees were formed to streamline operations.

The sub-committees are Marketing & Finance with Elder Toba Shinkaye, Tosin Beredugu, Adeola Ajayi and Philip Braid in charge; Technical & Venue have Simon Evbuomwan, Babalola Opeyemi, and Gbenga Jetawo charged with ensuring that the venue is in ship shape; Logistics, Ceremonial & Protocol have Madam Barbara Harper, Philip Braid, Olawale Kanga and Chris Nomigo co-opted.

Media matters is handled by Blessing Nwosu (Coordinator), assisted by Philip Braid and Osondu Ngude, Fanen Iornem and Maxwell Kumuyi while Medical is coordinated by Dr. Bukky Bojuwoye, Gbenga Jetawo, and Mrs. Yemisi Afolabi.

With preparations intensifying, the committee remains committed to delivering a high quality tournament that will elevate youth basketball development in the region that comprises of Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Niger Republic, host Nigeria and Togo.