18 February 2008

NIGERIA : Lagos City league starts March 20… Pardon Seyi Ayodele

The 4th editions of the Lagos City league will jump-start on March 20 this year at the Sports Hall of the Lagos National Stadium.

The league according to the Chairman of the Lagos State Basketball Association, Babs Ogunade will retain the twelve team format for men and four for women.

The date was agreed on at the association's stakeholders meeting held last Wednesday at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba with members of the LSBBA led by Ogunade and club owners/ representatives.

LSBBA Secretary, Uthman Ola-Okunnu told the gathering that team will be admitted on first come first serve basis as the association is providing a level playing ground for all the teams in Lagos State with March 8 as deadline for registration.

All FIBA rules will be adhere to in the organization of the league which is to provide an alternative to the premier league organized by the Nigeria Basketball Federation.

City league secretary and image maker of the LSBBA, Olusegun Ikuesan says this year's edition of the league will be far better organized than that of last year.

'We will definitely improve on our last year record where a total number of 145 matches were played by the twelve teams from the regular stage to the playoff.

'The league is growing and so also the organization and sponsorship drive as we strive to give our teeming clubs, coaches, players and fans a worthwhile time.

A combine referee and coaches clinic will precede the league so as to keep everybody abreast of the latest rules that govern the game especially when Lagos has been chosen as one of the venue for the hosting of the 2009 edition of the biggest basketball fiesta on the Africa continent - The 24th FIBA Africa Championship for Men known as the Cup of Nations.

The association also announced the lifting of the one year suspension placed on Dodan Warriors guard and former junior international, Seyi Ayodele.

It will be recalled that the Warriors guard was suspended by the LSBBA after he was found wanting for assaulting a referee in the week-two game involving his team, Warriors and Islanders basketball club last year.

LSBBA chairman, Ogunade who announced the lifting of the ban on the player says the player has tendered a letter of apology and has promised to be of good behaviour In future.

The decision to lift the ban on player was applauded by the stakeholders present at the meeting.

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