Imo State Commissioner for Sports, Obinna Onyeocha, has praised basketball star Chiney Ogwumike for attracting a new Basketball Africa League (BAL) court project to Owerri, saying the facility will give athletes across the state a place to train and compete.
Onyeocha, who spoke during a visit to the construction site, said Owerri was selected through Ogwumike's efforts and her Queens of the Continent initiative. He described the project as one of six in the wider programme, with the Imo facility representing Nigeria. "I must give kudos to our own ambassador and daughter, Chiney Ogwumike, who attracted this project," he said. "I want to encourage her and her family to do more."
The commissioner also thanked Governor Hope Uzodimma for backing the project, and said work began as soon as approval was granted. Following talks with those handling the build, the target is to commission the site in November. "It is going to be a very massive and wonderful project," Onyeocha said. "It is going to be one of the best basketball courts in Nigeria and even Africa."
According to the commissioner, the site will include a basketball court, a training area, three toilets, two changing rooms, a washing area and a solar-powered borehole. The completed facility will be handed over to the Imo Sports Commission, which will handle maintenance and open it to the public for local and international competitions, including BAL fixtures.
Onyeocha also paid tribute to Chiney's elder sister, Nneka Ogwumike, who is set to retire from the WNBA at the end of the 2026 season. "I watched Nneka play via the internet, and she's a wonderful basketball player," he said. "I want to thank her in a very wonderful way for making Imo State and Nigeria proud."
