Civil Defence wins promotion to DSTV Basketball League

Immigration relegated

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Defenders will play in next year’s DSTV Basketball League following their promotion to the elite league after beating Zamfara Shooters 67 to 47 in the National Division One Championship at the weekend.

The Civil defence Corps team, who had made three attempts to gain promotion from the National Division One Championship, fought hard to outshine their opponents in the crunchy encounter.

They led from start to finish in the game, courtesy Joel Ijigba (18 points) and a combined 17 points from Martins Ozege and Efe Jonathan to ensure the team made it seven wins out of seven.

The Defenders will now battle Hoop and Read in the fight for the champion of the National Division One Championship at the indoor sports hall of the National Stadium (Package B), Abuja.

Elated by his team’s promotion, Assistant coach Monday Puzo, said that the team is ready to play in the premier League.

“We were not happy by our relegation in 2012…it was not our fault because we didn’t intentionally abandon the two games that got us relegated.

“I am delighted we finally got back to the league and this time we are well equipped to fight with the big teams in the Conference and win the playoffs with the assistance of the NSCDC management,’’ he added.

The NSCDC team will replace another paramilitary side, Nigeria Immigration in the Savannah Conference.

The Immigration team finished bottom in the Savannah Conference in the just concluded season.