12th Zenith Bank Women Basketball League Jumpball In Abuja This Weekend

Nigeria’s Top Women basketball league is also billed to jumpball this weekend in Abuja as the 18 league teams in Nigerian Women basketball league converge to play the first preliminary phase of the Zenith Bank Women Basketball league.

With an unusual winner last year, Dolphins Basketball club- winning her first national title, all teams including 9 time champions First Bank Basketball club have fortified their squads to compete for the crown this Season.

Newly appointed head coach of First Bank Basketball club, Peter Ahmedu, who did a massive overhaul of his squad this year said his goal is to win back the pride of the “elephant girls” who lost their title in the finals to Dolphins last July.

“Myself and my back room staff were not with First Bank last year, but losing last season in the finals to Dolphins really hurt the players and the management. I hope to take the team back to where it belongs”

Sixteen teams including Dolphins and First Bank will compete from the 19th-29th of March for ranking points in the regular season in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, to book places in the Playoffs. The other league teams include First Deepwater, Inspector General of Police (IGP Queens) both based in Lagos. FCT Angels, Delta Force, Benue Princess, Plateau Rocks and Sunshine Angels of Akure. With Nigeria Customs Abuja, GT 2000 and Nigeria Immigration-Kaduna, AHIP Queens of Kano and the Oluyole Babes of Ibadan completing the list.

Tunis 2014 ACCM: Stakeholders Applaud Mark Mentors

Despite finishing ninth over-all in the just concluded 29th Africa Champions Cup for Men held in Tunis, Tunisia, Nigeria’s sole representative at the competition Mark Mentors basketball club have receive praises from various basketball stakeholders across Nigeria.

The Peter Ahmedu tutored Mentors who debuted at the continent biggest men club championship failed to made it to the knock-out stages after starting it group-B campaign on a promising note with a 68-65 points win over Abidjan Basket Club of Cote d’Ivoire but subsequently faltered in the group remaining games.

The Nigerian side also defeated Malabo Kings basketball club of Equatorial Guinea to finish ninth after getting a full dosage of what it takes to play among the biggest teams across Africa.

Mark Mentors chairman, Igoche Mark was singled out by stakeholders for remaining steadfast and believing in the ability of the team that came into limelight two seasons ago.

Tijjani Umar. NBBF President

President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Tijjani Umar while speaking on a live radio programme on Monday said the team did well at the continental championship.

The NBBF boss, however, believed that Mentors would have finish among the top-four if it had the needed experience and exposure but says the team must have learnt one or two lessions from the Tunisia Champions Cup won by Angola Clube Recreativo E Desportivo Do Libolo.

Umar called on all stakeholders in the game to play it’s part so that Nigeria teams (clubs and national teams) can benefit more from activities that would propel the game to a higher level in Nigeria.

He concluded that 2015 will be a more challenging year for Nigeria as there are more continental championships that Nigeria would enter at national and club levels.

Ayo Bakare

Former head coach of the senior national men’s team, Ayodele Bakare urged people to understand that Mark mentors made its debut at the African stage and finishing ninth was not a bad result.

“I understand people’s expectation from Mentors but sincerely, it is not easy on the international stage, especially for first-timers as Mark Mentors were. Let us appreciate what they have been able to do, commend and encourage them. I am sure they have learnt a lot and will do much better as time goes on. And thanks to them, Nigeria’s flag was hoisted at that tournament and the country was represented, Bakare opined.

Vice-president of the NBBF, Muktar Khaleh on his part said Nigerians need to appreciate what the mentors have achieved; we must not forget it’s their first time out there. The team must have learnt a lot at the championship and for sure they will register a better performance the next time they get there. Kodus guys.

NBBF Initiate Mentorship Programme For Grassroot coaches

The Nigerian Basketball Federation yesterday announced the institution of a mentorship programme for youth development coaches across the nation.

This is in view to harness all the diverse human resources and experienced hands in grassroot basketball development in Nigeria, so as to create a healthy relationship amongst these coaches dedicated to the developmental basketball, in order to build a long lasting structure for the national youth programme which is centered towards the junior national teams, as well as other independent developmental programmes to be sanctioned by the federation.

The programme which will take place in Abuja will have twelve (12) coaches present for its first phase. The 2day programme will start on Saturday 31st May, 2014. However, non DStv coaches are expected in arrive the capital city on the Friday 30th, May 2014. The invited coaches include:

1. Adeka Daudu – Dodan Warriors
2. Abdulrahman Muhammed – Gombe Bulls
3. Emmnauel Odah – FCT
4. Ogoh Odaudu – Royal Hoopers
5. Mike Akuboh – Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
6. Sani Tum – Kada Stars
7. Sanusi Shuaibu – Kano State
8. Peter Ahmedu – Mark Mentors
9. Spencer Chineh – Benue State
10. Tony Nelson – Bayelsa State
11. Babatunde Adelanwa – Ogun State
12. Mark Balogun – Nigerian Police

Oluwafemi Adefeso
FOR: NBBF MEDIA COMMITTEE