Ismaila Lere
6 July 2009
Competition is hotting up at the on-going Zenith Bank National Female Basketball League in Kaduna, with the First Bank team looking very much like the team to beat.
The defending champions have won all three games played so far and the Funmilayo Ojelabi-led Elephant Girls are looking set to retain their national championship title.
They defeated Dolphins 76-58 in the opening game, outclassed Delta Force 81-46 and walloped First Deepwater 67-53.
Confidence is already high in the camp as team's coach, Adewumi Aderemi, said that his side was sure of retaining the title because "we prepared very well for the competition".
He said that with the kind preparations the team had he was expecting nothing less than retaining the title at the tournament.
"We spent one month in camp and with the many matches we played coupled with the assistance given to us by First Bank of Nigeria, we are sure of beating everybody at the tournament.
"With three matches and three wins and with only six to go, there is no stopping us. We will beat every team and retain the league title," he boasted.
"It's the first time I have a set of better and committed players with the dedication and attitude to win...And the national team players in the squad are a motivating factor," he added.
Aderemi commended the Kaduna State Government for providing good facilities for the game.
"This is the first time in seven years that we are playing in an auditorium with an electronic score board.
"The floor is wonderful, everything here is world class standard."
Meanwhile, action will continue today with AHIP Queens clashing with Plateau Rocks in the first fixture. First Bank will play Customs in the second game, while First Deepwater square up against Delta Force in what looks like the fixture of the day at the Murtala Muhammed Square Indoor Sports Hall in Kaduna.
The fifth edition of the Championship is being sponsored to the tune of N15million by Zenith Bank.
The best two clubs at the end of the Championship will represent Nigeria in the FIBA African Women's Club Championship.
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