12 March 2010
NIGERIA : Nigerian Federation postpones leagues, meets Zenith Bank
ABUJA (National Leagues) -The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has been forced to adjust the start off dates for the country’s major basketball leagues. The Federation’s flagship competition, the DStv League billed to start across the nation this Saturday will get a new date to be announced after across the board consultations. Similarly, the Zenith Bank League for Women which had been announced to start in Kano city next week will start at a later date just as the resuscitated Division One league billed for Ilorin will now begin on another date.
The NBBF President Mr Tijjani Umar explained that the Federation was forced to take the measure due to unforeseen circumstances and appealed to teams and all stakeholders for understanding.
“I believe we all understand the challenges our league sponsors MultiChoice are going through at this period. At the time we were working out the details for the league none of us imagined that criminals would kidnap some their staff. It’s a trying period for them and we just have to show understanding. This and other things that came up like off shoot of that and which have made it inevitable for us to adjust a little bit. We must present a league that will be better than that of last season.
“The banking industry Nigeria is going through many reforms and under such situation some things may take longer time than it used to be. Moreover, both sides are not just looking at this season but also seasons ahead that require so much detail and planning. But all said and done, there is nothing to worry about because they will be slight changes only,” Umar said.
The NBBF had already completed the pre-season training programmes and seminar for the season before this stage. As part of quickly moving the system forward, the Federation will meet with the Zenith Bank officials Thursday in Lagos as both sides tie up the loose end of the contract of the period. The date and full shape of the Zenith Bank League will be known at a later date when the Federation considers all input from the sponsors. Such key thing as number of phases to be played will be decided as part of the follow up.
Teams already invited for the Division One league have been informed and are now on standby for the update.
By Pius Ayinor, FIBA Africa
The NBBF President Mr Tijjani Umar explained that the Federation was forced to take the measure due to unforeseen circumstances and appealed to teams and all stakeholders for understanding.
“I believe we all understand the challenges our league sponsors MultiChoice are going through at this period. At the time we were working out the details for the league none of us imagined that criminals would kidnap some their staff. It’s a trying period for them and we just have to show understanding. This and other things that came up like off shoot of that and which have made it inevitable for us to adjust a little bit. We must present a league that will be better than that of last season.
“The banking industry Nigeria is going through many reforms and under such situation some things may take longer time than it used to be. Moreover, both sides are not just looking at this season but also seasons ahead that require so much detail and planning. But all said and done, there is nothing to worry about because they will be slight changes only,” Umar said.
The NBBF had already completed the pre-season training programmes and seminar for the season before this stage. As part of quickly moving the system forward, the Federation will meet with the Zenith Bank officials Thursday in Lagos as both sides tie up the loose end of the contract of the period. The date and full shape of the Zenith Bank League will be known at a later date when the Federation considers all input from the sponsors. Such key thing as number of phases to be played will be decided as part of the follow up.
Teams already invited for the Division One league have been informed and are now on standby for the update.
By Pius Ayinor, FIBA Africa
# posted by afrbk : 19:29
