Bakin Zuwo Blazers edged out NTM Thunder to win Dam Foundation Summer Showtime Basketball Competition
By Yusuf A. Yusuf
Blazers dominated Thunder to win the Dam Foundation Summer Showtime Basketball Competition by 41 – 30 at NTM Thunder basketball field at Yan lemo in the ancient city of Kano.
Blazers started strongly,, dictating the games pace and showing composure both in attack and defense to claim the first quarter by 17 – 8 against Thunder.
In the second quarter, Thunder overturned the challenge to lead the game against Bakin Zuwo 7-5.
The third quarter ended 5-5 narrowing the gap and bringing Bakin Zuwo Blazers with seven points ahead of NTM Thunder before the final quarter.
In the last quarter Bakin Zuwo Blazers used strategic tactics to suppress NTM Thunder momentum and gradually took control of the game again and defeated Thunder 14 – 10.
Their consistent pressure paid off, as they sealed the match with hard-fought 41-30 (17-8, 5-7, 5-5, 14-10) victory.
The competition which began on 1st Aug. ends 2nd August at the NTM Thunder open basketball field at ‘Yan lemo Kano.
The Champions Bakin Zuwo Blazers lifted the trophy and N250,000 cash, the first runner up NTM Thunder received N100,000 and the second runner up, Kabuga Warriors who beat Fiat Warriors 57-40 got N50,000.
Dauda Usman from Bakin Zuwo Blazers is the Most Valuable player (MVP), Hassan Andulkadir of NTM Thunder emerged as the Best Shooter, Adamu Aliyu Kassim from Ahmadiyya Platform was selected the Free Throw Player and David Odoh of Bakin Zuwo Blazers selected as the Best Rebounder.
Speaking after the game, the DG Energy Commission of Nigeria and CEO of Dam Foundation who was represented by Sa’idu Yakubu Bello from Dam Foundation said the aim of the competition is to give the youths a chance to exhibit their skills.
“He also said that Dr. Mustapha always wanted to do something to the society most especially through sports for youths to become meaningful to the society, State and Nation at large”, he said.
On his part the Chairman Organizing Committee, Coach Mustapha Dogo better known as Coach Gaga said the competition was put together by DG Energy, Dr. Mustapha Andullahi who used to organize it in order to give youths the chance to showcase their talents.
Bakin Zuwo Blazers Chairman, Alhaji Bello Sabo Bakin Zuwo expressed delight with his team’s performance and also praised the organizer, Dr. Mustapha Andullahi DG Energy Commission of Nigeria and Dan Foundation, Coaches and Referees for making the competition a success.
A total of six teams comprising the Champions Bakin Zuwo Blazers, NTM Thunder, Kabuga Warriors, Fiat Warriors, Ahmadiyya Platform and Tudun Wada Warriors participated in the competition.
