The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has announced the expansion of the Zenith Bank Women’s League with the inclusion of two new teams for the 2021 season. The new teams, which bring the total number of teams in the league to 14, are Delta Force and Coal City Queens.
In a press release, the President of the NBBF, Musa Kida, expressed his excitement at the growth of the league and the opportunities it provides for women in basketball. He stated that the addition of the two new teams is a testament to the commitment of the NBBF to continue to develop and promote women’s basketball in Nigeria.
The Zenith Bank Women’s League, which started in 2005, has been a key platform for the growth of women’s basketball in Nigeria. The league has produced several outstanding players who have gone on to represent Nigeria at international competitions.
However, the league has faced several challenges in recent years, including inadequate funding, lack of infrastructure, and poor management. These challenges have affected the growth and sustainability of the league and have led to the withdrawal of some teams.
The expansion of the league is a positive development that could help to address some of these challenges. With more teams, there will be more games, which could attract more fans and sponsors, and generate more revenue for the league.
The NBBF has also announced that the league will follow strict COVID-19 protocols to ensure the safety of players, officials, and fans. This is in line with the guidelines of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
The 2021 season of the Zenith Bank Women’s League is scheduled to begin in May, and the addition of the two new teams promises to make it an exciting and competitive season for women’s basketball in Nigeria.
