Community basketball winner to pocket $3,000

The maiden Community Basketball League got underway on a flying note at the Accra Polytechnic Basketball court after the event was launched on Saturday.

The opening game saw Tema Sharks facing it off with Korle-Bu Kings, but Sharks made their intentions clear in the league after winning 30-24 at the end of the fourth quarter.

Korle-Bu started the game on a very bright note after winning the first quarter 3-2 but Sharks came back into the game and won the rest of the quarters with some impressive display.

The opening game was preceded by an exhibition game from the Accra Polytechnic Basketball team which saw some electrifying skills from the players to set the ball rolling for the tournament.

Ten communities would be competing for honours in the event which is expected to run for 10 weeks with a whooping $3,000 as stake for the winners.

The runner-up would also walk away with $1,500, while the third placed team will settle for $1,000 with the Most Valuable Player (MVP) walking home with $500.

Other teams that would be competing in the event include, Tudu Warriors, Dansoman Wolves, Teshie Lions, Osu Hawks, Sakumono Chargers, Ashaiman Tigers Nima Vipers and Cape Coast Bears.

Founder of Gametime Entertainment, organisers of the event, Louis Fadipe, said the league was intended to raise the level of basketball in the country.

He is optimistic that the event would be sustained and extended to other regions in future, calling on stakeholders to get involved to make the event a success.

“We expect an intense league as the various teams are geared up to make their communities proud as we hope to activate all communities in the country with the sport,” he added.

He stressed that basketball is arguably the second most popular sport in the country after football and would be more popular with the support of corporate entities and individuals.