BY: ZAHARADEEN SALEH, KANO
The President of Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation, Seyi Johnson revealed that the much anticipated BetKing Wheelchair Basketball League will expose more players in the Northern Region.
The 1st BetKing Wheelchair Basketball Savannah Conference League will take place at the indoor sports hall of Sani Abacha Stadium in Kofar Mata, Kano City from 14th to 16th April 2024.
Johnson said wheelchair basketball is on the verge of becoming one of the biggest para sports in Northern Nigeria behind para soccer.
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He charged the players to see the league as an opportunity to break into the different cadre of the national teams and ultimately get foreign clubs.
The astute sports administrator said, “A unique opportunity has presented itself for teams based in the North to expose themselves. In recent times, championships always take place in the Southern part of the country but this current board deemed it fit to take the Savannah Conference to the ancient city of Kano State.
“I am aware that the most popular para-sport in the North is para-soccer; I want to inform you that wheelchair basketball is ready to give para-soccer a big fight. This is going to be the beginning of greater things for wheelchair basketball in Northern Nigeria.
“This league is also an opportunity for some of these players to get selected for the National Teams because the Technical Director of the Federation, Tunde Popoola, and other technical officials are on the ground to monitor the league”.
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He charged players and coaches to exhibit a high sense of professionalism during the league.
Johnson said, “I want to wish all the teams, players, officials, and board members a successful championship; do not forget that the league is not a do-or-die affair. We want the players to be of good behavior and respect the decisions of the officiating officials during the games”.