Ado Salisu
A total of $10,000 will be up for grabs as teams across Northwest Nigeria converge on Kano for the 2026 Northwest Basketball Championship scheduled to hold from April 16 to 19.
The tournament is sponsored by the Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha (DAM) Foundation, with the aim of promoting grassroots basketball development and providing a competitive platform for emerging talents in the region.
According to the organisers, the male category winners will receive $5,000, while the runners-up will go home with $2,000. The third-place team is expected to earn $1,000.
In the female category, the champions will receive $1,500, while the runners-up will be awarded $500.
Sponsor of the tournament, Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha, disclosed that additional consolidated prizes would also be presented to outstanding teams and players during the championship.
The competition will feature both male and female teams from across the Northwest, promising an exciting display of skill and sportsmanship.
Participating male teams include Zamfara Shooters, Kebbi Warriors, Sokoto Galaxy, Katsina Desert Warriors, Jigawa Golden Stars, Kaduna Fresh Stars, host team Kano Giants, and NTITII Thunder.
In the female category, teams expected to compete are Kaduna Haiti Warriors Queens, Kano Bukavu Blinks Queens, Kebbi Equity Angels, and D-Suns Basketball Club.
Dr. Mustapha stated that the technical meeting and opening ceremony are scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Key stakeholders in the basketball community, including the President of the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF), Alhaji Musa Kida, are expected to attend both the opening and closing ceremonies of the championship.
The tournament is anticipated to serve as a major boost to basketball development in the region while offering players an opportunity to showcase their talents on a competitive stage.