29 November 2011
NIGERIA : Defenders' Coach Revels On Premier League Berth
Tope Olowosulu, the Head Coach, Defenders Basketball Club, Abuja, has said the men's qualification for the 2012 DSTV Premier League had opened a window of opportunity for their sponsors.
Olowosulu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja that their sponsors, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were hitherto acknowledged for their exploits in athletics.
"But the team's qualification now gives the NSCDC a good opportunity do exploits in team sports, particularly basketball," the coach said.
The Defenders last week qualified for next season's Premier League at the end of the National Division One Basketball Championship held in Abuja.
They had topped the Savannah Conference of the championship to earn the ticket to replace Plateau Peaks of Jos who were relegated.
The coach said that NSCDC's sports activities would be further boosted by the foray into basketball, complimenting their strides in athletics."The NSCDC have become a big force in Nigerian sports through the promotion and sponsorship of athletes and teams, notably in athletics.
"But we can become bigger with basketball, and the Defenders' qualification for the Premier League will help in this regards," he said.
Olowosulu, who praised the effort of the NSCDC's Commander-General, Dr Ade Abolurin, said his support and direction had helped the organisation develop the potential of its sportsmen.
The coach said the Defenders would be more focus and step up their game so as to live up to expectations and excel in the 2012 DSTV/NBBF Premier League.
"We just need more focus, and we will be where we should be. Luckily for us, we have in our Commander-General somebody that will always give us the support we need to do well.
"With his support, we have been able to do well to this level" he said.
Olowosulu said that his team would, as part of preparations for its campaign in the league next season, engage some more experienced players to beef up its squad.
"We have young players, but we will still have to inject some experienced players into our squad; those with some Premier League experience. This will help us to come up well in the competition," the coach said.
He however praised his players' efforts in winning the Premier League ticket, despite their relative inexperience.
Olowosulu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja that their sponsors, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were hitherto acknowledged for their exploits in athletics.
"But the team's qualification now gives the NSCDC a good opportunity do exploits in team sports, particularly basketball," the coach said.
The Defenders last week qualified for next season's Premier League at the end of the National Division One Basketball Championship held in Abuja.
They had topped the Savannah Conference of the championship to earn the ticket to replace Plateau Peaks of Jos who were relegated.
The coach said that NSCDC's sports activities would be further boosted by the foray into basketball, complimenting their strides in athletics."The NSCDC have become a big force in Nigerian sports through the promotion and sponsorship of athletes and teams, notably in athletics.
"But we can become bigger with basketball, and the Defenders' qualification for the Premier League will help in this regards," he said.
Olowosulu, who praised the effort of the NSCDC's Commander-General, Dr Ade Abolurin, said his support and direction had helped the organisation develop the potential of its sportsmen.
The coach said the Defenders would be more focus and step up their game so as to live up to expectations and excel in the 2012 DSTV/NBBF Premier League.
"We just need more focus, and we will be where we should be. Luckily for us, we have in our Commander-General somebody that will always give us the support we need to do well.
"With his support, we have been able to do well to this level" he said.
Olowosulu said that his team would, as part of preparations for its campaign in the league next season, engage some more experienced players to beef up its squad.
"We have young players, but we will still have to inject some experienced players into our squad; those with some Premier League experience. This will help us to come up well in the competition," the coach said.
He however praised his players' efforts in winning the Premier League ticket, despite their relative inexperience.
# posted by afrbk : 14:49
