Mark D‘Ball is making efforts geared towards resurrecting domestic basketball leagues in 2022, the technical the Championship, Scott Nnaji has said.
Nnaji made this known while speaking to newsmen in Abuja at the ongoing women basketball teams competition in the Indoor Basketball Hall of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
”We will host constant basketball competitions for women to keep them fit for the sports. We will give basketball a new face.
”It is frustrating that there is no competition at the local level for our players and especially for the women side .
“When girls have that interest and put up everything for the game, we need to encourage them.
”It is frustrating to see talent going to waste. We are all here today because we love this game, a game in which we are passionate about and a place where we spend most of our lives.
“This is in continuation of our contribution to the sustainable development of basketball, and in trying to see that the game is put back on the map.
Nnaji added that the level of performance in the ongoing championship was very impressive.
“There is no thought that the sport have come to stay. This is just the beginning of new era in the basketball in the country.
“Stakeholders cannot continue to be quiet and look at the Sport dying in the country.
“This Championship have teams from all over the six geopolitical zone, together we stand, divided we fall, basketball must grow in Nigeria,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Day four saw top teams posting wide margin victories and dominant displays, on their way to the Quarter finals.
First Bank of Lagos thrashed City Sparks of Makurdi 39-20 in the first match while Sunshine Angels of Akure outscored Novena Queens of Owerri 36-17 in the second match.
Mountain of the Fire Ministry (MFM) of Lagos needed double overtime to beat Hot Coal Sizzlers of Abuja 44-36 in the third match.
The Inspector-General of Police (I-GP) Queens were also too strong in their 42-18 mauling of FCT Angels in the fourth game.
In the fifth game, Air Warriors of Abuja crushed Taraba Haurricanes 42-17 while Nasarawa Amazons succombed 19-54 to Nigeria Customs. Service (NCS) in the sixth game.
However the last two Games were closely fought as Kada Angels of Kaduna overcame Delta Force of Asaba 28-19.
The last of the game between replacement team, Osun Pearls and Plateau Rocks, was decided in the last 10 Seconds, with the team from Jos winning it 38-37.
The Fixtures for the quarter finals matches to be played on Wednesday is as follows :
IGP Queens to meet First Bank of Lagos in the first quarter final while Air Warriors of Abuja will play Kada Angels of Kaduna in the second match.
Sunshine Angels of Akure to face Plateau Rocks of Jos in the third match while MFM of Lagos will hook on Nigeria Customs.Service in the last match.
All four Quarterfinals matches are to be played at the Indoor Sports Hall in Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
NAN reports that the championship which started on Jan.15 will end on Jan.22. (NAN)
