01 August 2006
NIGERIA : Ayinla Not Our Problem - Savage
By Wale Quadri
Lagos
The management Union Bank Basketball team has said that the introduction of former Nigeria international, Ayinla Johnson into the team during the Atlantic Conference play-off in Lagos was not responsible for the team's inability to make it to the National final which is expected to hold in Lagos from July 28 through 30.
According to the team manager of the 2005 NBBF/VMobile challenge winner, Rotimi Savage the introduction of Ayinla was meant to help boost the team in its quest to win the national title after emerging victorious at the end of the regular season of the more competitive Atlantic conference of the league.
He explained that Ayinla, who is based in London, had at different times joined the team at crucial stages on the local and continental scene.
Savage revealed that he was shocked to learn that the non-qualification of his team was ascribed to the presence of Ayinla.
"Ayinla has been a regular face within the Union Bank basketball club fold. He was with us at last year's challenge in Abuja where we emerged victorious. So, the claim that Ayinla was imposed on the team is spurious. I believe that his presence has helped us and why some believe that he is causing disaffection is what I don't understand. The team manager hinted that Ayinla was at the National Sports Festival where alongside coach Emma Okolo recruited players for the team and was also at the Abeokuta camp prior to the play-offs.He however said the team has put behind it inability to qualify for the grand finale in Lagos, adding that the problem which prevented it from qualifying for the final was temporary as efforts have been made to guide against a reoccurrence.
It also stated that it has learned from the mistakes and that all hands would be on deck to ensure the team does better in subsequent championships.
Many had expected the Stallion Boys to pick one of the two tickets in the Atlantic conference, which they failed to do.
Lagos
The management Union Bank Basketball team has said that the introduction of former Nigeria international, Ayinla Johnson into the team during the Atlantic Conference play-off in Lagos was not responsible for the team's inability to make it to the National final which is expected to hold in Lagos from July 28 through 30.
According to the team manager of the 2005 NBBF/VMobile challenge winner, Rotimi Savage the introduction of Ayinla was meant to help boost the team in its quest to win the national title after emerging victorious at the end of the regular season of the more competitive Atlantic conference of the league.
He explained that Ayinla, who is based in London, had at different times joined the team at crucial stages on the local and continental scene.
Savage revealed that he was shocked to learn that the non-qualification of his team was ascribed to the presence of Ayinla.
"Ayinla has been a regular face within the Union Bank basketball club fold. He was with us at last year's challenge in Abuja where we emerged victorious. So, the claim that Ayinla was imposed on the team is spurious. I believe that his presence has helped us and why some believe that he is causing disaffection is what I don't understand. The team manager hinted that Ayinla was at the National Sports Festival where alongside coach Emma Okolo recruited players for the team and was also at the Abeokuta camp prior to the play-offs.He however said the team has put behind it inability to qualify for the grand finale in Lagos, adding that the problem which prevented it from qualifying for the final was temporary as efforts have been made to guide against a reoccurrence.
It also stated that it has learned from the mistakes and that all hands would be on deck to ensure the team does better in subsequent championships.
Many had expected the Stallion Boys to pick one of the two tickets in the Atlantic conference, which they failed to do.
# posted by afrbk : 16:40
