Nigeria’s women basketball league has received a massive boost of N24.6m, following an agreement reached between the game’s governing body and one of their sponsors, Zenith Bank Plc.
Sports247.ng can report that officials of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) were all smiles, following their public confirmation of terms in the agreement reached with the commercial bank.
NBBF confirmed that the women’s league will dunk off on Sunday, October 28, in both the Savanah and Atlantic Conferences.
NBBF vice-president, Babs Ogunade said the competition will have 19 clubs competing for honours simultaneously in both conferences, from which the top three finishers will compete in the final six in Lagos.
Ogunade added that the NBFF are happy that Zenith Bank continue to show great support for development of basketball in Nigeria and went on to acknowledge the bank’s support for the 2017 Afrobasket winning D’Tigress and their financial support for the team while in Atlanta camp.
He said: “Our kudos goes to the Bank for doing all what they have been doing over the years, we appreciate them for what they have done.
“They have continued to support female basketball in Nigeria for the last 14 years and look forward to many more years of partnership.”
On their part, the bank stated during the unveiling ceremony at Lagos National Stadium in Surulere that they are proud to continue their partnership with the NBBF.
Group Managing Director of the bank, Peter Amangbo, represented by Akin Ogunranti, the company’s General Manager/Zonal Head, Ikeja, said they are proud to support the league for 14 years.
He added that the bank was also very happy to host the historic senior national women’s team, D’Tigress that won the 2017 FIBA Afrobasket which held in Bamako, Mali.
He said Zenith Bank also contributed financial support for the team that competed in the just concluded FIBA World Cup in Tenerife Spain.
Ogunranti said: “Over the years Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc has sponsored NBBF Women’s National League as part of our contributions to the society and youth development.
“This is our core corporate social responsibility which also has come a long way with partnership with the NBBF since 2005, beginning with just four teams and now has grown to 19 teams.
“We are indeed delighted with our intervention which has continued to yield tremendous result in the areas of women youth development.
“This sponsorship has raised the profile of women basketball in Nigeria and contributed in no small measure to the discovery of many talents many of whom play in the league.
