Braves of Customs
Braves of Customs, also known as simply Customs, is a Ghanese basketball club based in Accra.[1] The team plays in the Accra Basketball League (ABL). It is the basketball team of the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), Ghana's customs organization.
Braves of Customs | |||
---|---|---|---|
Leagues | Accra Basketball League | ||
Founded | 2018 | ||
Location | Accra, Ghana | ||
Ownership | CEPS | ||
|
Established in 2018, the team won the ABL championship in 2018 and 2019.[2] In October 2019, Braves played in the qualifying tournaments for the Basketball Africa League.[3]
Honours
Accra Basketball League[2]
- Winners (1): 2018, 2019
The Braves is the best basketball team in Ghana. They gave a lot of players the opportunity to enjoy the game of basketball and even give employment to many players till date. The Ghana Customs (BRAVES) primary goal was to pick the best players from other teams and make them part of their agenda. This extreme ideology was under the coach Mr. Dawson. But then again there were many critics of this agenda saying if you take the best players from other teams to make up the Braves there will not be any competition in the country. They were right. The Braves have been in control of Ghana basketball for about two decades. They were unstoppable. They played many teams in Nigeria, Togo, Benin, and Ivory Coast. In addition to what the coach at that time had in mind, he also want the Braves to represent Ghana National Team. This is where the bias was out on the open. It also put pressure on the opposing players to be part of the Braves. There was a unique name that stood out in the Braves organization. The name was Captain Baafi. He was the soul of not just the braves of CEPS but the entire basketball in Ghana. He helps players to be their best. He always advise players even in the opposing team to be their best and work hard if they want to see Ghana on the high level. One thing he stands for is to make sure Ghana basketball move to the next level. And before we can do that and I quote " we need to have an indoor basketball." The talent is there just like he said, but playing on a hard concrete? Good luck. His message was simple and straightforward, support the players. He tried all his best to make sure Ghana basketball is on the level of Nigeria, Morocco, Mali, Angola and many others. But his effort was cut short by his sudden demise.
However, if there is anything to say about Ghana basketball we have to give credit to one of the best coaches in the country by name Mr. Ocloo who is the architect of the dreamers. He made players. meaning he start coaching players from when they have no idea about basketball, to bouncing and taking three pointers. He raised players like Quaye alias Rubberman, Commando, and many others who later became members of CEPS. Another coach that deserve praise is Albert Donkor popularly known as STONE from NIMA FLAMES. He was one of the point guards in Ghana that were unstoppable. He coached many players like Alhaji, Sulley, Yussif, Obuobi, George, Mazzola Jr. and Sr. and many others who ended up joining CEPS. As much as Ghana basketball need some changes we can not ignore the fact that CEPS should not be counted out for their achievements. Whether good or bad they were able to give employment to many college graduate who had no means of getting employment anywhere. we will hope sooner or later the dreams of Mr Baafi will come to fruition. Which is an indoor basketball court.
References
- "GRA Customs basketball, News, Roster, Rumors, Stats, Awards, Transactions, Details - afrobasket". Eurobasket LLC. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
- "GRA Customs - History". Eurobasket LLC. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
- "Braves of Customs at the Africa Champions Clubs ROAD TO B.A.L 2020 2019". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 26 November 2019.