The second edition of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Democracy Day Basketball Championship officially tipped off at the Indoor Sports Hall, Package B, of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, with a vibrant and colourful opening ceremony.
The event brought together all 16 participating teams in a lively parade before the organisers, marking the commencement of the annual youth basketball tournament.
In his opening remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (OFR), emphasized that the primary objective of the championship is to strengthen civil-military relations and foster national unity.
He noted that the tournament, themed “Encouraging Grassroots Basketball Talents”, reflects the Armed Forces’ commitment to discovering and nurturing young talents across the country.
“This championship is aimed at building the capacity of our youths to contribute meaningfully to national development,” General Musa stated. “Our goal is to strengthen civil-military cooperation by positively engaging young people through healthy competition, while promoting mutual respect and understanding.”
The CDS added that beyond talent discovery, the championship is designed to promote national cohesion and unity through sports.
“This initiative serves as a platform to strengthen the bonds between the military and civilians. It also provides a non-kinetic approach to addressing future security challenges through the cooperation of good and patriotic citizens,” he explained.
General Musa further highlighted that the tournament fosters togetherness in the spirit of sportsmanship and offers the youths a legitimate means of livelihood.
“In preparation for this event, we have assembled an impressive lineup of talented players, coaches, and officials. The championship features 16 well-selected male and female teams from the North West geopolitical zone and the Federal Capital Territory,” he added.
The 2025 Democracy Day Basketball Championship commenced on Saturday, June 14, and is scheduled to run through Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
