22nd November, 2010
The Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, has concluded plans to begin the 2010/ 2011Â NBBF/DSTV Premier Basketball season next month.
According to the technical committee of the Federation, the choice of the season jump-starting in December 2010 was approved by the executive board of the NBBF after a proposal by the former League Board.
Chairman Technical Committee of the Federation, Muktar Khaleh,  said the decision to start early was informed by the several international programmes of the federation in 2011 and to allow the league run smoothly without any hitch.
“Yes the 2010/ 2011 season will start this December and the clubs have been rightfully informed about the development and we are going ahead with the plan.
“The decision was taken for the best interest of our basketball and that of the sponsor, who are in full support of this season starting early to conform with the rest of the world. You will agree with me that almost all the countries of the world have commenced their season.
“The country will be participating in at least four international competitions come 2011: the African Cup of Nations for Men and Women in Cote d’Ivoire and Mali, these are 2012 Olympic Games qualifiers, the FIBA Under 19 World Championship for Women and the All Africa Games. So there is need to begin the league in good time,†Khaleh who doubles as the federation’s first Vice President stated.
Meanwhile, the Federation has concluded arrangement to inaugurate a new league board as soon as possible to get the league started.
However, Basketball Timeout gathered that the league might not start in December as planned.
The reasons are two of the country’s top clubs, Kano Pillars Basketball Club and Royal Hoppers Basketball club, will participate in continental championship next month and some of the clubs are yet to compete their registration for the new season.
The players, according to sources, are on loan to the clubs participating in the continental championship.