The much anticipated 2024 Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League will dunks off today in two venues – Akure, Ondo State capital and Lafia, the capital of Nassaraw State respectively.
The Indoor Sports Hall of the Akure Township Stadium is the venue of the Atlantic Conference which has eight teams competing for honours. The teams are First Bank, Delta Force, MFM, First Deep Waters, Dolpins, IGP Queens, Bayelsa Whales and Sunshine Angels.
According the fixtures released by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), First Bank and Delta Queens will meet in the first match of the centre just as the defending champions, MFM will tango with First Deep Waters. Also today in Akure, Dolphins will confront IGP Queens while Bayelsa Whales lock horns with hosts Sunshine Angels.
In the Savannah Conference, City Hall, Shendam, Lafia is the venue for the eight other teams battling for final slot.
Former champions Air Warriors will vie for honours against Titans, Nigeria Customs will Face-off with Royal Aces, Kada Angels will tackle Plateau Rocks just as host Nasarawa Babes battle Nigeria Army in the final match of the day.
The second phase (expected to start September 22nd) will be competed for in a round robin format in which four teams each from each of the two conferences will book a ticket for the final in Lagos with Eight teams fighting for the 2024 title.
The group managing director of Zenith Bank, Adaora Umeoji, has charged all the participants of this year’s competition to embrace the spirit of friendliness and fair play.
“We are aware winners will emerge in the fixtures but we want all of them to uphold discipline, make friends and exhibit their talents in the next few weeks.
“It is always a delight to put smiles on the faces of our women and so far we at Zenith Bank are proud that these ladies are making Nigeria proud in continental and global tournaments,” the Zenith CEO said.
Meanwhile, NBBF President Musa Kida has assured that all was set for the commencement of the league across two centres in the country.
“Everything has been put in place for a successful phase one starting from Sunday, September 1,” he said.
“I want to appeal to all the clubs to be professional as always and I can tell you that all our officials are ready to conduct themselves very well for another great outing.
“This year’s event will be better than what we had last year and we are looking forward to the team that will emerge winner.
“I want to appreciate our sponsors, Zenith Bank, for their yearly investment in women basketball in Nigeria and we need other organisations to invest more in sport in Nigeria.”
