ABUJA (DStv PBL) - As a result of the late confirmation of the dates for the final round of the 2010 FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Men, to be held in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has delayed the beginninfg of the 2010/2011 DStv Premier Basketball League season until the first week of January 2011.
FIBA Africa recently confirmed Cotonou as host city of the final round of the Champions Cup scheduled for 9-19 December. This new date clashes with the start-up date of the Nigerian domestic season. Indeed, two Nigerian club sides, Kano Pillars and Royal Hoopers, are taking part in the continent’s biggest club competition after qualifying from the FIBA Africa Zone-3 qualifiers in Liberia last month.
The NBBF has consequently extended the deadline for the submission of registration for the season to 22 December 2010. The League nevertheless retains its sixteen-team format, eight in each of the two conferences - Atlantic and Savannah.
The sixteen teams include;
Atlantic Conference: Chariot, Delta Force, Dodan Warriors, Ebun Comets, Lagos Islanders, Police Baton, Royal Hoopers and Union Bank.
Savannah Conference: Bauchi Nets, Kada Stars, Kano Pillars, Niger Potters, Nigeria Immigration, Plateau Peaks, Tapgun Rockets and Yelwa Hawks.
Nigeria Customs and AHIP Giants basketball clubs were relegated at the end of the 2009/2010 season, with Chariot and Nigeria Immigration, taking their places respectively.
Heading into the New Year, Nigeria will be participating in the FIBA Africa Championship for Men billed for August 2011 in Ivory Coast and and the Women's edition in Mali.
Additional commitments include the 10th All Africa Games for Men and Women in Mozambique as well as the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women in Chile.
By Olusegun Ikuesan
FIBA Africa