Adeka Daudu, coach of the Nigeria team that won the Africa Under-18 Championship in South Africa in August, told reporters here that the proposed tournament was an innovation meant to "further develop the sport among students in junior secondary schools in Africa."

He added that the tournament would take place in 2009 at a yet to be named venue.

Daudu disclosed that he had started to monitor players in the 12-13 age bracket who participated in the two clinics with a view to grooming them into national team players.

He also said the players would take part in championships organized by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) "to keep them in shape for the continental engagement," adding that the championship would be the first in that age category.

In a related development, Daudu said trials had begun to select players who would represent Nigeria at the World Junior Basketball Championship in Canada next June.