Basketball: Dodan Warriors, Union Bank, Islanders Return, As Men’s Premier League Dunks Off

EDENWOBODO CHUKWUEMEKA PATRICK

Twenty five teams will begin campaign for league glory and a continental ticket when the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) organized Men’s Premier League dunked off on 8 July, 2019

The teams divided into the traditional Savannah and Atlantic Conferences will see the return of Dodan Warriors, Lagos Islanders and Union Bank Basketball Clubs into the elite Division after having their bans lifted by the NBBF.

The league which will serve as qualifiers for the newly introduced and money spinning NBA sponsored Basketball Africa League (BAL) will end on 9 November.

The Savannah Conference made up of teams in the North Central, North East and North West geopolitical zones consist of Kano Pillars, Kada Stars (Kaduna), Bauchi Nets, Nigeria Immigration (Zaria), Niger Potters (Minna) and City Chiefs of Gboko.

Defenders of Abuja who got to the knock out stage of the 2019 FIBA Afro League will hope to build on their achievements when they compete against city rival, Mark Mentors, Plateau Peaks of Jos, Gombe Bulls, Benue Braves and Nigeria Army in the Savannah Conference.

In the Atlantic Conference, all eyes will be on Dodan Warriors, Islanders and Union Bank as they rekindle their city rivalry for the control of Lagos.

For newly promoted Invaders of Ado Ekiti, Raptors of Lagos and Enugu Coal, their mission will be to stay afloat against Kwara Falcons of Ilorin, Nigeria Customs of Lagos, Oluyole Warriors of Ibadan, Hoops and Read and Delta Force of Asaba.

One of Nigeria’s 2019 season continental representatives, Rivers Hoopers of Port Harcourt will hope for another taste of continental action in the newly introduced Basketball Africa League (BAL)

All completed forms (Players Registration and Club Entry) must get to the NBBF Secretariat on or before 30th of June.