Babatunde Abiodun Ajose
Long-lasting memories may be created by the thrilling and dazzling moments at the 2024 NBBF Men’s Premier Basketball League final 8 championship game on Monday 18 November 2024, in Portharcourt, Rivers State.
The top tier series which brought together, the first 4 teams in each of the Atlantic and Savannah Conferences, saw the teams fight valiantly to pick the sole lucrative ticket to represent Nigeria on the continental stage at the Basketball Africa League.
The defending champions, Rivers Hoppers, Nile University, Hoops’N’Read, and Gboko City Chiefs advanced to the semi-finals following the group stage.
Additionally, it produced two Atlantic teams.
In the final game, Hoops’ N’ Read faced Rivers Hoopers who triumphed 71-54 to retain their title and earn a trip back to the BAL, where they placed third the previous season.
In a fiercely contested match earlier in the day, Gboko City Chiefs upset Nile University 63-60 to secure third place.
Speaking at the final, Nigeria Basketball Federation President Engineer Ahmadu Musa Kida thanked the government and the good people of Rivers State for hosting the Final 8 championship for the second consecutive year.
Kida also conveyed the NBBF executive board’s gratitude.
“This is another sweet home-coming for me. Port Harcourt has always been home to me and of course, Nigeria basketball. On behalf of the Nigeria basketball stakeholders and the executive board members of the NBBF, I say, a big thank you to His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, for his immense support and encouragement to the NBBF, and of course, to the development of sports, in the country,” Kida said.
He also lavished praise on Barrister Chris Green, the Rivers State Commissioner of Sports, for giving the NBBF the assistance it needed to ensure that this year’s competition went off without a hitch.
An obviously overjoyed NBBF President went on to say that the federation has plans to improve and expand the event the following year.
Thanking the organizations that sought to host the finals, he urged them to further engage in the other events the NBBF has planned for the following year.
Top government officials, basketball fans, and stakeholders, including Kelechi Anosike, the chairman of the Imo State Basketball Association, attended the championship finals, which were played in front of a full house.
