5th edition: Wunti’s Be Happy basketball championship dunk off in Bauchi
By Nasiru Abdullahi Kobi Bauchi.
The 5th edition of the annual Be Happy Basketball Championship has commenced in Bauchi, our correspondent reports .
The championship organised by an former basketball player, Sulaiman Maijama’a Wunti.
The event has tipped off in Bauchi with a renewed commitment to grassroots development, unity, and the promotion of the game across Nigeria.
Declaring the tournament open, Wunti said the essence of the championship is to give back to his former team and Bauchi State, with the motive to foster unity and to expanding the reach of basketball beyond the state boundaries.
He reaffirmed his commitment towards sustaining the annual competition, describing it as a platform for the nurturing of talents, to encourage sportsmanship, and strengthening the bond among the youths from different parts of the country.
He urged the participating teams and their officials to uphold the rules of the game and also ensure they avoid all forms of indiscipline , stressing that fair play remains the cornerstone of the championship.
According to him, discipline and respect for the rules are critical towards achieving the broader objectives of the tournament.
The opening match of the five-day championship lived up to expectations as Suns of Plateau State defeated D-Block of Kaduna 56–49 in a keenly contested encounter that thrilled fans and set the tone for the competition.
Several clubs from across the country are participating in this year’s edition, underscoring the growing stature of the tournament.
The teams include Bauchi Nets, Gombe Bulls, D-Cubs, Suns Academy, Katsina United, Mighty Jets, Razor Back, Adamawa Fombina, and Taraba Hurricane, among others.
The Be Happy Basketball Championship is scheduled to run for five days and will climax on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, when winners and outstanding performers are expected to be rewarded with prizes.
