Paul Afiemo
The GBAM Foundation is making waves in Kaduna with the debut of its Inter-Local Government Basketball Tournament—a major step forward for grassroots sports and youth development. With a hefty N1.5 million prize at stake, the competition is poised to spotlight raw talent and ignite local passion for the game.
Slated to run from May 26th to June 7th 2025 at the iconic Murtala Mohammed Square, the competition will feature teams from all 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kaduna State. The structure follows Kaduna’s senatorial zones, with teams battling within their regions before progressing to the finals.
At a press conference on Friday, GBAM Foundation’s Founder and CEO; Murpheus Major Idoko announced that registration is free, with financial subsidies provided to ease logistical challenges for participating teams. “This initiative is about building a sustainable basketball structure in Kaduna and gradually expanding it across Nigeria” he said.
Winners in the male category will walk away with N1,000,000 while female champions will receive N500,000. “The idea is to look inward and build on what truly resonates with young people: sports, entertainment and expression,” Idoko stated.
The GBAM Foundation—an acronym for Graffiti, Basketball, Art and Music—has been empowering youth, women, persons with disabilities and school children since 2019. This year’s tournament marks a fresh chapter focusing on grassroots engagement and local pride.
The tournament also emphasizes gender inclusion, with a zonal-based female tournament scheduled for this year. “We’re partnering with girl-child-focused organizations to merge sports with education and empowerment" said Grace John GBAM’s Academy Manager.
Head of Technical- Daniel Jonah assured that officiating will be top-notch handled by nationally and internationally graded referees, including a recently ranked official from Malaysia to uphold global standards.
Adding to the experience, Creative Director Didam Illiya revealed that live music and art performances will run alongside the games creating an immersive youth-friendly festival atmosphere. “Sports and entertainment go hand in hand—it keeps young people engaged and off the streets” he said.
The GBAM Inter-LGA Basketball Tournament arrives at a time when youth restiveness and drug abuse remain pressing concerns in Northern Nigeria. This initiative offers a model for sports-driven community development and talent discovery, potentially inspiring similar efforts across the country.
Click here to watch all the live action on GBAM Instagram Page
