The flagship competitions of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) the DStv and Zenith Bank Leagues now have start off dates following last Saturday meeting at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja between the NBBF and stakeholders in the Nigerian basketball system.
The DStv League for men has been scheduled to start February 27th. The league will run in full this season with the standard Road Trip designed for the Nigerian Premier League. The last season played without Road Trip. The First Phase of the Zenith Bank League for Women is billed to take the jump ball March 10th and end 22nd in Kano.
And for quick fix of the men’s league the NBBF has set up a Fixtures sub-committee for the DStv League pending when the Federation’s Technical Committee will take off effectively. The fixtures drafting committee has Muktar Khaleh (Malone) the Federation’s First Vice President, Sam Ahmedu (Dodan Warriors), Tanko Dutse (Yelwa Hawks) and Rotimi Savage (Union Bank). The NBBF President Mr. Tijjani Umar said that with effect from this season erring officials (clubs or officiating officials) will be heavily sanctioned. Appropriate fine or suspension will be handed out to such persons of clubs.
“The dates were carefully chosen after due consultations and barring any unforeseen circumstances we’ll take off on these dates. The Federation is quite impressed by the turnout and cooperation of all clubs and their officials and we hope to maintain continuous reach out for every programme. The issue of discipline is quite high on the agenda this time and henceforth. Therefore, we cannot afford to let go any case of indiscipline. And that is why the sanction has to any club or referee putting the game into disrepute. This is to ensure that club officials do not mar the gains we are all making neither would we allow referees to hold us to ransom with clear unprofessional officiating or conduct.”
The Pre-season Clinic for Stakeholders will hold from February 18th to 21st in Ilorin, Kwara State situated in the middle belt region of Nigeria. The clinic and subsequent ones has been declared compulsory for teams and officials in the Nigerian basketball system by the Federation. Defaulters will be fined of N30, 000.
By Pius Ayinor, FIBA Africa