In light of this year’s annual Milo sports competition, the Cross River State Basketball team’s spirit is at an all time high as they are set to take home the trophy this year. The team which finished third at the zonal level in both male and female categories, are set for the national stage scheduled to hold from 22nd June 2024 at the National sports stadium Surulere, Lagos.
Speaking on the challenges faced by the team, the Head Coach Cross River State Basketball Association (CRSBBA), Mr. Omini Ubi Arikpo had this to say, “Finance is the major problem we are facing right now. We need corporate organizations to come in so we can improve. The government tried but we still need support from other agencies.”
Speaking further, Mr. Omini also expressed his concern for the sport at the senior level as the state’s senior team were still struggling in the senior category.
When asked his view on the prospects of the game in the next five years he had this to say, “Development is a gradual process but the game of basketball will grow with the right sponsorship from multinational agencies. I see it growing over the next couple of years.”
The team which has been to the nationals twice in the past; at Ibadan in 2016 the male team represented the state, and again at Lagos in 2019 the female team represented the state, is very hopeful to get their first trophies in the competition in both categories.
