By Ado Salisu
Despite the financial crisis facing Kano Pillars basketball team, it started the second phase of the Nigerian Premier League on a sound note after beating the host team, Niger Potters 97-67 points.
The Premier basketball league, organized by the Nigerian Basketball Federation NBBF, is to determine the winner ahead of FIBA Africa continental championship scheduled to hold later in the year.
The Kano Pillars team which secured the qualification for the second phase of competition after their performance in the first stage of the league in Jos, the Plateau state capital, need Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf total financial backing in order to continue to sustain its impressive outing in the Nigerian, West Africa Zone 3 qualifier and FIBA Africa continental championship.
During the first stage of the league, the team had to borrow money to participate due to the non release of fund by the Kano state government. The same situation played out at the ongoing second phase in Minna as the team left Kano without the state releasing fund to it.
Kano Pillars having won several league trophies in Nigeria and excelled in West Africa Zone 3 qualifiers as well as in FIBA Africa clubs championship in the past, needs government motivation and support in order to continue projecting the good image of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration as far as sports was concerned in the country and Africa in general.
Governor Yusuf need, as a matter of urgency, to intervene in the situation with a view to finding a lasting solution for the club and sports generally in the state.
Kano Pillars will tomorrow play their second match against Gombe Bull in another interesting encounter.
In other matches played so far yesterday City Chiefs of Abuja hammered Bauchi 103-65, Plateau Peaks lost 75-82 to Nile University, 313 Warriors demolished Niger Potters 66-55 and Aso Sky Hawks walked over Gombe Bull 20-00 matches.
Tomorrow matches will see 313 Warriors locking horns with City Chiefs of Abuja, Niger Potters will host Plateau Peaks of Jos while Aso Sky Hawks will face Nile University.
The top four teams from each Savannah and Atlantic Conferences would automatically qualify for the final 8 scheduled to hold later in the year.