NBBF plans improved players’ welfare packages

The Nigeria Basketball Federation has resolved to work with clubs sponsors and stakeholders in the DStv Premier Basketball League to introduce players’ insurance and uniform contract document from the 2014/2015 season.
This decision was reached after NBBF’s extra ordinary board meeting in Lagos.
It agreed also that the Premier League should be open to allow Nigerian and foreign players from international leagues to play in the local leagues in order to deepen and fast-track the development of Nigeria’s leagues.
The federation felt perturbed about the level of talent exodus from the country and resolved to engage all concerned locally and internationally to stem the tide.
It also resolved to improve liaison with and oversight over affiliate associations to ensure adequate flow of information and even development from bottom to top.
Lastly, the Board agreed that one of the immediate solutions to talent exodus will be the sustainable development of the local programmes and leagues, especially by creating an environment where players are properly insured to safeguard their well-being and career and by creation of a celebrity status by the media around the stars in the leagues, thereby exposing them to endorsement opportunities for companies and improving their income and taking away the attraction to play elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the NBBF on Wednesday in Lagos got a reassuring promise from the management of Zenith Bank that the sponsorship of the national women’s league will continue after 10 years of partnership with the federation.
The reassurance came from no less a person than the Managing Director of the bank, Godwin Emefiele, who received a delegation of the Board that presented the Champions of the Zenith Bank League, First Deepwater Basketball Club of Lagos, to the management.
According to Emefiele: “We are impressed with the development of the game and assure you that the sponsorship will continue.”
He said he hoped the team, led by their coach, Lateef Erinfolami, would retain their title this year.
An Executive Director of the bank, Ebenezar Onyeagu, who stood in for the Managing Director, thanked the NBBF for accepting to partner with the bank, stressing: “Whatever we do, we do with a deep sense of responsibility.
“The league is growing and expanding while the players are getting international and regional exposure.”
He commended the NBBF President, Tijjani Umar, for his exemplary leadership, which has assured the growth of the sport in the country.
In his response, Umar pleaded for more support from the bank.