PORT HARCOURT (DStv Premier League playoffs) - The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has ratified the bid of Royal Hoopers to stage the 2009/ 2010 DStv Premier League playoffs.
According to Nigerian federation president Tijjani Umar, the decision to award the hosting rights of the eight-team playoffs to the Port Harcourt-based side was reached during the NBBF board meeting held in Lagos last Saturday.
"We are glad to announce to the public, especially the basketball faithfuls, that the NBBF have awarded the hosting of this years final-8 playoffs to Royal Hoopers basketball club of Port Harcourt after going through their bid papers," said Umar.
"Staging the playoffs outside Lagos is also part of efforts by the NBBF to make all the cities in Nigeria feel the impact of the playoffs which is usually a festival of sorts and we are happy that Royal Hoopers basketball club came forward to host the event.
"We want to congratulate the management and players of Royal Hoopers basketball club ahead of the playoffs which is coming up in the first week of September 2010, exactly two weeks after the regular season ends in the two conferences."
Royal Hoopers team manager Ifie Ozaka thanked the NBBF for deeming the club fit to host the playoffs and assured that every measure would be taken to stage playoffs the federation will be proud of.
Olusegun Ikuesan
FIBA Africa