Mark Mentors, Civil Defence, Kano Pillars, Rivers Hoopers and Gombe Bulls will represent Nigeria at the 2017 FIBA Africa Zone 3 club championship elimination series starting in Lagos on November 11. According to a statement, the Nigeria Basketball Federation took the decision on Tuesday after meeting with FIBA Africa and stakeholders in Nigeria.
The NBBF president Musa Kida said the board decided to accommodate more clubs in the interest of the development of the game in the country. He said, “In the light of prevailing circumstances, based on consultations and advice from FIBA Africa Zone 3, it became expedient to give Kano Pillars and Gombe Bulls another chance to participate in the Zone 3 Club Championship in Lagos from November 11 to 18.”
The NBBF said it decided to add Rivers Hoopers of Port Harcourt for heeding to the directives given by the board to stay away from an unsanctioned competition.
The federation said the move was made in the best interest of players who are innocent of infractions committed by their clubs by participating in the national playoff that was not sanctioned by the Kida-led NBBF board.
