Peter Ahmedu, the Head Coach of First Bank of Lagos Basketball Club, has hinged his team’s victory at the ongoing 14th Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball National Final Six on hard work and the support of their sponsors.
An elated Ahmedu told the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday that the attractive salary structure of the bank and proper mobilization of the players had made it possible for the team to excel.
First Bank defeated Dolphins of Lagos 84-66 to retain the championship trophy which they had won back-to-back in the last two editions.
The team also carted away the prize money of N1.5million, while their opponents went home with home with N1.2million.
He said: “We are most grateful to our sponsors, First Bank, for their unwavering support throughout the year; they keep us financially stable
and all we have to do is just turn up for training.
“Their passion to develop women through sports has been unequalled, and to this we are indebted to deliver at all times.
“We are looking ahead now with the next competition in line which is the Zone Three FIBA Africa Qualifiers and we are confident of doing well.”
The Captain of the team, Nkechi Akashili, also told NAN that she was proud of the team’s achievement being her first time to captain the team.
Akashili said: “It feels good to be the winner out of the teams that played in the league; we worked hard for this and have the awesome financial
package that helps us to deliver.
“We look forward to the next competition which is the FIBA Zone Three championships coming up in Republic of Benin.
“We know other teams are coming with their best but we have always done well in the past and there is nothing that can stop us.’’
Meanwhile, Peter Amamgbo, the Managing Director, Zenith Bank, said that he was satisfied with the organisation of the championship.
He noted that the competition had continued to bring out the best of the participating teams and congratulated the winners, First Bank,
and the other teams for their hard work and passion for topping the league.
Amamgbo said: “The teams that played in the league were exceptional; they showed a lot of commitment to the sport and with the level of play we are
satisfied.
“We are excited about another successful season where the players put up a very good performance and zeal to prove their love for the sport.
“At Zenith Bank we remain committed to the development of the sport, and most importantly to the teams that would be playing in the continental championships in Republic of Benin.”
NAN reports that in the third place match, Customs of Abuja defeated Mountain of Fire and Miracles 57-49 to take home the third place
trophy and prize money of N1 million.
Nkem Akaraiwe won the most valuable player award of the competition.
The top five players of the tournament were: First Bank’s Nkechi Akashili and Nkem Akaraiwe, Dolphins Fumnaya Ijeh, Customs of Abuja’s Josset Anaswen and Murjatu Musa of Kaduna Angels.
The competition which dunked-off of on November 4 and ended on November 7 had teams Kaduna Angles and Plateau Rocks also competing for honours.
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