Ozaka Hails NBBF On Final Four Format For League Winner, BAL Qualification Ticket

Ozaka Hails NBBF On Final Four Format For League Winner, BAL Qualification Ticket

Ibrahim Lateef

General manager of Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club, Ifie Ozaka has hailed the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) for adopting the Final Four format to determine the title winner and the automatic spot to the 2024 Basketball Africa League, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

It is the first time in history the league champion is being decided by a Final Four format.

Rivers Hoopers, Nigeria Customs, Gboko City Chiefs, and Hoops & Read are the four teams that have qualified to play in the Finals of the 2023 Premier Basketball League scheduled from 22-26 November in Port-Harcourt.

The quartet will battle for the league title and the automatic spot in the 2024 Basketball Africa League.

Games will be played in a round-robin format and the best two teams will advance to play the final.

''The format that is being used this year is an interesting format and hasn't been done before since we got into the league," Ozaka said.

"It is going to be interesting this year. We are going to put up a good show as host and we are going to make sure that fans of basketball in Nigeria and around the world watching are not going to be disappointed."

Recall, that Port Harcourt hosted the Final 8 of the DSTV Premier Basketball League in 2010, which was considered one of the best basketball finals held in Nigeria to date.

The long-serving General Manager said fans would have the opportunity to watch Rivers Hoopers who last played competitive basketball on their home court in 2017.

''It would mean a lot for Rivers Hoopers, especially for the players. The last time we played in front of our home fans was way back in 2017, that's a long time so the fans will have the opportunity to watch their darling team at home and the players have the opportunity to showcase their talent in front of their darling fans. Their fans only get to see them train once in a while''.

Ozaka concluded, "We thank the NBBF, League Management Committee for choosing Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Governor, and the Honourable Commissioner for Sports for their love and support for basketball, and their support in getting this down to Port Harcourt.''