26 April 2007
NIGERIA : Zenith Basketball League Moved to Abuja
By Pius Ayinor
Lagos
The first circuit of the Zenith Bank Female Basketball League earlier fixed to hold in Kano has been moved to the National Stadium, Abuja. The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) officials explained that the decision was taken due to what was referred to as "logistics reason".
"We just did not have any choice but to move the event to Abuja under the prevailing conditions," Sam Ahmedu, Zenith League Director, said yesterday.The NBBF, however, announced that the initial dates for all the three circuits for the Elite-8 and the lower level 12 remain unchanged. At that the Elite teams are billed to arrive in Abuja next Wednesday as the competition proper begins the following day. The other league for the Maiden 12 teams will hold at the same venue from the 11th. The teams have been accordingly directed officially to proceed to Abuja. Sunshine Angels of Akure, AHIP of Kano, First Bank, Customs, Dolphins, Amazons, Delta Force and Nigeria Immigration make up the Elite-8.
THISDAYSports learnt that even though participants were initially worried by the security reports from that region during the election period, the huge demands and conditions set by the Kano State officials for the use of the sports hall at the stadium did not help matters.
And with the fixtures released yesterday by the NBBF, Sunshine Angels and AHIP will play the opening match next Thursday. The first game is scheduled to begin at 12noon. Delta Force will take on the Nigeria Immigration in the second game while First Bank and Amazons are for the third game. The star match of the day is definitely the last one of the day between Dolphins and Nigeria Customs. First Bank ladies are the defending champions of the league.
Lagos
The first circuit of the Zenith Bank Female Basketball League earlier fixed to hold in Kano has been moved to the National Stadium, Abuja. The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) officials explained that the decision was taken due to what was referred to as "logistics reason".
"We just did not have any choice but to move the event to Abuja under the prevailing conditions," Sam Ahmedu, Zenith League Director, said yesterday.The NBBF, however, announced that the initial dates for all the three circuits for the Elite-8 and the lower level 12 remain unchanged. At that the Elite teams are billed to arrive in Abuja next Wednesday as the competition proper begins the following day. The other league for the Maiden 12 teams will hold at the same venue from the 11th. The teams have been accordingly directed officially to proceed to Abuja. Sunshine Angels of Akure, AHIP of Kano, First Bank, Customs, Dolphins, Amazons, Delta Force and Nigeria Immigration make up the Elite-8.
THISDAYSports learnt that even though participants were initially worried by the security reports from that region during the election period, the huge demands and conditions set by the Kano State officials for the use of the sports hall at the stadium did not help matters.
And with the fixtures released yesterday by the NBBF, Sunshine Angels and AHIP will play the opening match next Thursday. The first game is scheduled to begin at 12noon. Delta Force will take on the Nigeria Immigration in the second game while First Bank and Amazons are for the third game. The star match of the day is definitely the last one of the day between Dolphins and Nigeria Customs. First Bank ladies are the defending champions of the league.
# posted by afrbk : 14:51
