NBBF invites 25 to D’Tigress’ camp for Rio 2016 Olympics qualifiers

Ten players from the Zenith Bank National Women Basketball League are among 25 players called to camp by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) ahead of preparations for the Rio 2016 Olympics qualifying tournament billed to take place in Nantes, France, from June 13 to 19.

The invited players to the team’s camp are five First Bank players, imcluding Chioma Udeaja, Nkechi Akashili, Upe Atosu, Akaraiwe Nkem and Chinyere Juliet.

Other players in the list are Idoko Patience (Benue Queens), Okpe Patience (Dolphins), Isaac Christiana (IGP Queens), Okeke Ebere (Customs) and Umeh Gloria (Plateau Rocks).

Nigeria made the Olympic qualifiers after placing third at the continental championship, Afrobasket for Women in Cameroun last year.

Meanwhile, eight teams have arrived Lagos for the last lap of the 12th Zenith Bank Women Basketball League Final Eight Championship, which begins this weekend at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Defending Champions, Dolphins of Lagos and eight times league champions, Elephant Girls owned by First Bank Plc, will join six other teams, Customs, Delta Force, AHIP Queens of Kano, IGP Queens, Benue Princess and Plateau Rocks to compete for the grand prize.

According to a release by the NBBF, today and tomorrow have been set aside for arrivals of the teams and the meeting of the League’s Technical Committee meeting, while actual competition starts on Saturday.