The inaugural Temple Jam Basketball tournament ended on Sunday with a glittering star-packed final ceremony.
Over a thousand spectators crammed into the indoor hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium to watch the Gidi Giants defeat the Gombe Bulls 58-51 in a tense and pulsating affair.
The finale was opened by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who was just one of a host of many special guests including Oba Saheed Elegushi, Daddy Showkey, Sound Sultan, Jeff Akoh, Mimi Onalaja, Mama Tobi and many more.
The Temple Jam basketball tournament, an initiative between the Lagos State baskeball Association and the Temple Management Company, witnessed 8 teams compete for the trophy over a 7-day period. The teams involved were the Nigeria Potters, Oluyole Warriors of Oyo, Comets of Ondo, Anambra Flames, Gombe Bulls and Tema Harbour City from Ghana.
The Chairman of the Temple Management Company, Tunde Folawiyo, expressed his delight at the success of the tournament and urged Nigerian sports lovers to take a greater interest in basketball.
“I was most impressed by the organization and level of preparedness of the event by all concerned,” Mr. Folawiyo said. “Some of the participating teams came from quite a distance to be a part of this and everyone showed a wonderful competitive spirit. I hope that this tournament and continued initiatives by the Lagos State Basketball Association will raise the profile of the sport in Nigeria even further.”
The Gidi Giants, who were making their competitive debuts, received many plaudits from a boisterous crowd for their flair, strength and sportsmanship. Owen Oriakhi, the elusive point guard for the Gidi Giants, went home with the championship MVP Award.