Major sponsor celebrates growth of Women’s Basketball in Nigeria

The sponsors of Nigeria’s National Women’s Basketball League, Zenith Bank PLC, have expressed their delight over the remarkable progress of the sport in the country, particularly within the women’s category.

As the sole sponsor of the league for nearly two decades, Zenith Bank has played a pivotal role in the development of many basketball stars who have gone on to represent Nigeria at continental and global competitions.

The league has been instrumental in nurturing talents for the Nigerian women’s national team, D’Tigress, who have made an indelible mark in African and world basketball. D’Tigress recently achieved an extraordinary feat, winning the AfroBasket Championship four times in a row and earning global recognition after a strong showing at the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.

At the recently concluded Olympic Games in Paris, D’Tigress continued to showcase their talent by securing victories over highly rated teams like Australia and Canada, advancing to the quarterfinals. Their coach, Rene Wakama, was awarded the title of Best Coach of the Tournament, further highlighting the team’s remarkable progress on the world stage.

A key player during the Olympics, Murjanatu Musa, was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2022 Zenith Bank National Women’s Basketball League, underscoring the league’s role in nurturing world-class talent. Musa’s rise to prominence is a testament to the impact Zenith Bank’s sponsorship has had on the sport in Nigeria.

Zenith Bank’s Group Managing Director and CEO, Adaora Umeoji, expressed the bank’s pride in the successes being recorded by Nigerian women’s basketball. “We are really happy that the women’s national team, D’Tigress, are catching up with the rest of the world with our products in the league as part of the success story,” Umeoji said.

She further noted that the rapid development of women’s basketball in Nigeria is a direct result of the bank’s investment. “The fast growth of the game will further propel us to do more just as we are happy with the ongoing league across the country. We charge all participants to put in their best efforts so that they will also become national team stars in the nearest future,” Umeoji added.

The second phase of the 2024 NBBF/Zenith Bank National Women’s Basketball League is set to begin on September 22, with games scheduled to take place in Enugu and Abuja. The phase will run until September 28, with the national finals taking place at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, from October 13 to 19.

Record titleholders, First Bank, dominated the Atlantic Conference Phase 1 held in Akure, while Customs Basketball team emerged victorious in the Savannah Conference Phase 1 in Lafia, Nasarawa State. As the league progresses, all eyes will be on these teams as they vie for the championship in the next phase.

Zenith Bank’s commitment to women’s basketball continues to inspire future stars and elevate the sport in Nigeria, with the National Women’s Basketball League serving as a key platform for the discovery and development of elite talent.