26 November 2010
NIGERIA : NBBF Urge Pillars, Hoopers to double preparation, ahead Africa Champions Cup
(by Olusegun Ikuesan) africabasket.com
With less than three weeks to the dunk-off of the final round of the 2010 FIBA Africa Champions Club for Men slated for Benin Republic the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF has called on the country representatives, Kano Pillars basketball club and Royal Hoopers basketball club to double their final preparation for the continent biggest club competition.
Pillars and Hoopers won the right to play in the final round of the Champions Cup after finishing first and second in the FIBA Africa Zone-3 qualifying round held in Monrovia, Liberia in early November.
The two Nigeria DStv Premier League Champion and runner-up are in the race to do well at the continent flagship club competition with Pillars going in as the continent fifth best team while Royal Hoopers is a debutant.
Royal Hoopers basketball club who is starting a two weeks close camp in Kaduna from Monday (November 22, 2010) are determined to do well in it first outing in final round of the Africa Champions Cup after finishing second in the Zone-3 Elimination.
Hoopers team manager, Ifie Ozaka says the club is determined to contiue its good performance after qualifying from the FIBA Africa Zone-3 alongside Kano Pillars in Liberia.
Ozaka is optimistic the club will make Rivers State, Nigeria and FIBA Africa Zone-3 proud in the Benin Republic show-down with Despotivo de Agosto as defending champion.
'We are going to Benin Republic to be counted among the top contender for the trophy, our experience from the FIBA Africa Zone-3 qualifiers has enrich us to a large extent and we are determined to take our rightful place in Africa basketball.
Head Coach of Kano Pillars, Sani Ahmed on his part says the team is targetting a good finishing in this years final round after finishing fifth in its last two outings in 2008 (Tunisia) and 2009 (Rwanda).
'Our goal is to do well this time and the players have a responsibility to carry out the technical bench instruction to achieve that.
'Right now we are back to training after the Sallah break and everybody in the team knows what is at stake when hostility began next month.
The final round of the Champions Club Cup is schedule to hold from December 10 through 19.
With less than three weeks to the dunk-off of the final round of the 2010 FIBA Africa Champions Club for Men slated for Benin Republic the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF has called on the country representatives, Kano Pillars basketball club and Royal Hoopers basketball club to double their final preparation for the continent biggest club competition.
Pillars and Hoopers won the right to play in the final round of the Champions Cup after finishing first and second in the FIBA Africa Zone-3 qualifying round held in Monrovia, Liberia in early November.
The two Nigeria DStv Premier League Champion and runner-up are in the race to do well at the continent flagship club competition with Pillars going in as the continent fifth best team while Royal Hoopers is a debutant.
Royal Hoopers basketball club who is starting a two weeks close camp in Kaduna from Monday (November 22, 2010) are determined to do well in it first outing in final round of the Africa Champions Cup after finishing second in the Zone-3 Elimination.
Hoopers team manager, Ifie Ozaka says the club is determined to contiue its good performance after qualifying from the FIBA Africa Zone-3 alongside Kano Pillars in Liberia.
Ozaka is optimistic the club will make Rivers State, Nigeria and FIBA Africa Zone-3 proud in the Benin Republic show-down with Despotivo de Agosto as defending champion.
'We are going to Benin Republic to be counted among the top contender for the trophy, our experience from the FIBA Africa Zone-3 qualifiers has enrich us to a large extent and we are determined to take our rightful place in Africa basketball.
Head Coach of Kano Pillars, Sani Ahmed on his part says the team is targetting a good finishing in this years final round after finishing fifth in its last two outings in 2008 (Tunisia) and 2009 (Rwanda).
'Our goal is to do well this time and the players have a responsibility to carry out the technical bench instruction to achieve that.
'Right now we are back to training after the Sallah break and everybody in the team knows what is at stake when hostility began next month.
The final round of the Champions Club Cup is schedule to hold from December 10 through 19.
# posted by afrbk : 13:17
