Women’s teams shine at Louis Edem Basketball Championships

Organiser Louis Edem expressed satisfaction at the performance of teams at the West Africa Basketball Championships, which featured elite women’s teams for the first time.

Louis Edem, organiser of the Louis Edem West Africa Basketball Championships, expressed satisfaction at the level of performance by teams at the ongoing championships. Edem said the teams had performed credibly well, especially at this year’s event, which was an all-elite women's basketball teams affair.

Since the inauguration of the tournament’s first edition in 2023, it has been an all-men affair. Edem noted that he was happy to involve the elite women's teams to compete for honours as well. “This is the first edition we are involving women, and it has been great so far and a highly explosive competition,” he said.

In the semifinal games, First Bank defeated Ghana Braves 68-35, while Mountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM) defeated Victoria Queens 52-39. The final game would have MFM clash with their city rivals, First Bank, at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, starting by 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.

The inclusion of women’s teams is a welcome development. For too long, women’s basketball has been an afterthought in Nigeria. The Louis Edem Championships are providing a platform for women to showcase their talent. The final between First Bank and MFM promises to be an explosive affair.

The winners: the women’s basketball teams, who have gained a platform; and Nigerian basketball, which is becoming more inclusive. The losers: the teams that lost in the semifinals; and the Nigerian government, which must invest more in women’s sports.

Bottom Line: Women’s basketball teams are competing at the Louis Edem Championships. The final is set. The question is whether the tournament will continue to include women in future editions.