It was a bright start for the defending champions of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League, Air Warriors, as they defeated Nigerian Army 61-39 in the first game of the Savannah Conference’s 2nd phase taking place at the Lafia City Hall, Shendam Road, Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The game which started a bit late behind schedule due to technical hitches lived up to expectations as few fans that witnessed the game had something to cheer about.
Air Warriors from the dunk off made their intention known with Nkem Oyoko and Onome Polycarp dictating the game from the front for the Air people.
The north central zonal representative on the board of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Adamu Deshi, expressed appreciation to the sponsors, Zenith Bank Plc, saying it is difficult to bring out women athletes especially from the north to be part of sports.
“Basketball has come to stay and hosting this Savannah Conference in a place like Lafia will open the faces of parents that women can take sports as a profession,” he said.
“You can see other youths especially the girl child coming out to watch and they can take the gospel back home that they can achieve something through sports instead of involving in other social vices.”
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Isaac Danladi, who welcomed all the teams on behalf of the State Sports Commissioner, Jafaru Ango, urged all the teams to be at their best while also charging the state team, Nasarawa Amazons, to try their best to come out on top.
According to Danladi, the state government already put everything in place for a successful hosting of the Second Phase of the Savannah Conference of the league.
The football administrator while dunking off the Phase assured all the teams and visitors top hospitality from the state as he asked them to enjoy the atmosphere.
The competition continues fully on Wednesday, September 20, with Plateau Rocks taking on Nigeria Army by 12noon with the second game of the day taking place between Kada Angels and Nasarawa Amazons.
The last game of the second day will be a tough battle between Air Warriors and Nigerian Customs.
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