NOGERIA : Nigeria Basketball Federation benchmark for 2011

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Executive Board meet in Abuja on Wednesday January 5, 2011 to delibrate on its 2011 programme of activities and review its performance in 2010.

In addition to approving its activities for 2011, the following decisions were taken by the NBBF Executive Board.

1. A National U16 (Men and Women) tournament to start with zonal preliminaries was instituted with effect from 2011.

2. A National Open Women Championship to start at two conference levels and to end with a national final was approved.

3. There will also be the National Division-One Championship for promotion of teams to the DStv Premier Basketball League while a Division-Two is being considered.

4. A Coaches/Players’ Education programme at the age group level with the aim of institutionalising a National Basketball Philosophy was approved.

5. The International programmes involving the Senior Men and Women National Teams at the continental level and the FIBA World U19 Championship for Women were endorsed.

6. The Head Coaches of the Senior Men and Women National Teams from the 2009 Afrobasket (Coaches John Lucas and Ayo Bakare) were retained to ensure continuity and provide an opportunity to complete the foundation laid.

7. The NBBF Board also endorsed the January 29, 2011 commencement date of the 2010/2011 DStv Premier Basketball League Season as presented to it for consideration.