By Ado Salisu
Eight basketball teams have qualified for the final stage of the Nigerian Premier Basketball League to determine the overall winner, who will represent Nigeria at the FIBA Africa continental championship.
The league, organized by the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) led by Musa Kida, has already concluded Phase One and Phase Two of the competition across different states of the federation.
The Savannah Conference, which held in Minna, the Niger State capital, produced Aso Sky Hawks of Abuja as the overall winner, followed by City Chiefs of Benue State in second place, while Kano Pillars and 313 Warriors finished third and fourth respectively.
In the Atlantic Conference held in Enugu, Mak Town Flyers finished first, Royal Hoopers of Port Harcourt, Rivers State came second, while Hoops and Read of Lagos and Lagos Raptors placed third and fourth respectively.
Speaking on Kano Pillars’ qualification, the team manager and former head coach of the national basketball team, Coach Sani Ahmad, commended the organisers for their commitment and dedication to ensuring a smooth and successful competition across the conferences.
Coach Sani Ahmad also pledged that, under the new leadership of the Kano State Sports Commission, led by Alhaji Muhammad Tukur Babangida, the Pyramids side would make a strong impact in the Super 8 stage.
He further commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his moral support and urged the state government to address the team’s financial challenges to sustain Kano’s strong reputation in basketball, both nationally and internationally.
It will be recalled that despite financial difficulties faced by the state’s flagship team, Kano Pillars Basketball Club remained focused and represented the state well during the second phase of the competition in Minna.
