11 February 2013
NIGERIA : NBBF Modifies Men, Women Basketball Leagues
The President, Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Tijani Umar, on Friday said that the Men's DSTV Basketball and Zenith Bank Women Basketball leagues would dunk off tentatively on Feb. 25.
Umar told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the competitions had been modified to make them more competitive and cater adequately for the players' welfare.
He told NAN on telephone that logistics were being put together by the sponsors and stakeholders for the leagues to resume.
"We have sent our proposals on financing of the leagues and other competitions that will come up this season to our sponsors to look into.
"They have signified their continued partnership with us," Umar said.
According to Umar, the coming season will experience modifications in the competitions to bring development and make the leagues more competitive and attractive.
"We have made some changes to enhance the quality of the games and a considerable limit of transfer fees will be allowed for the clubs and players.
"We are keen on this because it will put a check on players moving from one club to another looking for better wages.
"With this, clubs can keep their home grown talents and nurture them to achieve their desired objectives," he said.
He disclosed that the end of season playoffs had also been modified to accommodate more games to make it more competitive.
"We are changing from the regular eight teams that played each other in the season playoffs.
"What we will have now is four teams from the Savannah conference playing each other and also four from the Atlantic conference, with two teams emerging from each conference for the finals.
"It is the combination of these two teams from each of the conferences that will play in a new format called the 'Final Four'," Umar said.
Umar told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the competitions had been modified to make them more competitive and cater adequately for the players' welfare.
He told NAN on telephone that logistics were being put together by the sponsors and stakeholders for the leagues to resume.
"We have sent our proposals on financing of the leagues and other competitions that will come up this season to our sponsors to look into.
"They have signified their continued partnership with us," Umar said.
According to Umar, the coming season will experience modifications in the competitions to bring development and make the leagues more competitive and attractive.
"We have made some changes to enhance the quality of the games and a considerable limit of transfer fees will be allowed for the clubs and players.
"We are keen on this because it will put a check on players moving from one club to another looking for better wages.
"With this, clubs can keep their home grown talents and nurture them to achieve their desired objectives," he said.
He disclosed that the end of season playoffs had also been modified to accommodate more games to make it more competitive.
"We are changing from the regular eight teams that played each other in the season playoffs.
"What we will have now is four teams from the Savannah conference playing each other and also four from the Atlantic conference, with two teams emerging from each conference for the finals.
"It is the combination of these two teams from each of the conferences that will play in a new format called the 'Final Four'," Umar said.
# posted by afrbk : 12:38
