PHOTOS: SEE HOW 2ND PHASE OF NBBF/ZENITH BANK WOMEN’S BASKETBALL LEAGUE DUNKS OFF IN LAFIA
The second phase of the Nigeria Basketball Federation/ Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League dunked off on Tuesday at the rechristened Lafia Sports Arena formerly known as the Lafia City Hall, Lafia, Nasarawa State.
In the Day-One results today, Nasarawa Amazons lost with a narrow margin to Plateau Rocks 59-61; Nigeria Customs pummeled Kada Angels by 20-00, while Air Warriors made light walk overĀ the Nigeria Army by 61-39 points.
Permanent Secretary, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, who represented the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development at the opening ceremony, performed the dunk off in the game between Air Warriors versus the Nigerian Army.
On Wednesday(Day-Two), Plateau Rocks will square up against the Nigeria Army by 12noon; Nasarawa Amazons will tackle Kada Angels by 2pm before Air Warriors will face Nigerian Customs by 4pm.
The participating teams include Nasarawa Amazons, Nigeria Customs, Air Warriors, Plateau Rocks, Kada Angels and Nigeria Army.
The first phase held in Jos, Plateau State, from 21st to 27st August, 2023.
The four best performing teams out of six will join their four best counterparts from the Atlantic Conference zone for the final showdown in Lagos later in the year to determine the eventual Champions of this year’s edition of the competition.
Responding to questions from journalists covering the League, the Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, said he was optimistic that the State’s team, Nasarawa Amazons, will end high in the second phase of the competition.
He disclosed that the ladies had gotten adequate experiences from the first round in Jos, coupled with the home support in Lafia, to propel them to an enviable finish and pick one of the four available tickets from the Conference.
He assured the team of the supports of the State Government throughout the Championship.
Former national team female Basketball player and Chairperson of Nasarawa Amazons FC, Hajiya Hussaina Suleiman Nagogo, encouraged the team to be committed and make the State proud.
Captain of Nasarawa Amazons, Patience Abashi, promised to justify the confidence reposed in them by the Nasarawa State Government and entire citizens of the State.
She downplayed the outcome of the first phase in Jos, and was optimistic of a better outing in the reverse games.
Adamu Deshi, NBBF North Central Zonal Representative; Ayuba Tijanni Mohammed, Chairman, Nasarawa State Basketball Association; Professor Maikano Ari, Director, Andoma Foundation; Rt. Hon.. Shuaibu Sani, SSA to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Youth Affairs; Comr. Hamza Moyi Awe, SSA to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Sports Affairs; Solomon Babanjah, Team Manager, Nasarawa United FC,Ā Comr. Ja’afar Mohammed Loko, Chairman National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN were among a handful of dignitaries who attended the opening ceremony of the league which will run till 24th of this month.
Eche Amos (Fellow, CBS)
PRO,
Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.