N5m up for grabs at Ochei wheelchair international basketball

The Wheelchair Basketball Federation of Nigeria has earmarked N5 million as prize money for winners at the 5th Sir Victor Ochei International Wheelchair Basketball Championship scheduled to hold from September 19 to 24 at the Indoor Sports hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

President of WBFN, Bukola Olopade made this known on Thursday in Lagos, during a media parley to herald the championship being sponsored by the former Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Sir Victor Ochei.

Olopade, who commended the sponsor further informed that 15 states have signified intention to participate in the tourney adding that three countries; Ghana, Benin Republic and Cameroon are being expected from the continent, while para-military teams might also feature in this year’s edition.

The former Commissioner for Sports in Ogun State stated that the championship would help discover new talents and put the national U-23 team in shape ahead of the U-23 World Cup elimination billed for Durban, South Africa from October 1 to 8, 2016.

Olopade also disclosed that the WBFN will subsidise the feeding allowance of all the participating teams as a way of motivation.

“Let me use this opportunity to express appreciation to Sir Victor Ochei who after leaving the office has continued to sponsor this championship. This really shows that he is committed to the course of special athletes and the development of the game in the country.

“He has been our sole sponsor to major international championship and I want to assure everyone that this year’s edition will be bigger and better,” Olopade said just as he assured of a hitch-free championship with adequate security to be put in place.