Air Warriors in Flying Start to Zenith Women’s B’ball League Defence

*Hammer Nigerian Army team in opening game in Lafia

It was a good start for the defending champions of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League, Air Warriors, as they defeated their Nigerian Army counterparts 61-39 in the first game of the Second Phase of the Savannah Conference in Lafia.

The game which started a little bit behind schedule due to some technical hitches lived up to expectations as the few fans that witnessed the match had something to cheer about.

Air Warriors from the dunk-off made their intention known with Nkem Oyoko and Onome Polycarp dictating the game from the front for the Air Force team. .

Speaking with reporters, the Nigeria Basketball Federation Zonal Representative, North Central, Adamu Deshi, expressed appreciation to the sponsors, Zenith Bank Plc, as according to him, it is difficult to bring out women athletes especially from the North to be part of sports.

“Basketball has come to stay and hosting this Savannah Conference in a place like Lafia will open the faces of parents that women can take sports as a profession,” he said.

“You can see other youths especially the girl-child coming out to watch and they can take the gospel back home that they can achieve something through sports instead of involving in social vices.”

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Isaac Danladi, who welcomed all the teams on behalf of the State Sports Commissioner, Jafaru Ango, urged all the teams to be at their best while also charging the state team, Nasarawa Amazons, to try their best to come out on top.

The competition continues fully today with Plateau Rocks taking on Nigerian Army at 12noon with the second game of the day taking place between Kada Angels and Nasarawa Amazons.

The last game of the second day will be a tough duel between Air Warriors and Nigerian Customs.