Lagos State Sports Commission at the weekend stopped its affiliate clubs from using the Indoor Hall of the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Rowe Park as venue for the Kwesè Premier Basketball League forcing the teams to seek alternative venue.
Teams affected in the decision of the Lagos Sports Commission are Hoops & Read Basketball Club owned by former D’Tigers captain, Olumide Oyedeji, Nigeria Customs Basketball Club, Police Baton Basketball Club and Ebun Comets Basketball Club.
The displaced teams commended the Chairman of the Kwese Premier League Management Board (KPLMB), Olumide Oyedeji, for bringing the games to the ultramodern facilities at the old Nitel complex, that has air-conditioned indoor hall, swimming pool, ultramodern gym, a spa, 4D cinema hall and a three star hotel facilities.
The four Lagos based teams are not happy that the Lagos State government has taken sides with one of the NBBF factions. And games were also disrupted after paying N20,000.00 each for State affiliation to the Lagos State Sports Commission.
“The Lagos State government should have consulted us before storming the Rowe Park to stop the league, anyway, the action was a blessing in disguise, as the facilities at the old Nitel complex, now Digital Bridge Institute, Cappa, Oshodi are better than what we have at the Rowe Park”, one of the Lagos clubs’ coach anonymously said.
Result of games played at the weekend across the Atlantic and Savannah Conference, Niger Potters of Minna picked an away win of 81-71 points against Civil Defence of Abuja, newly promoted AHIP Giants beat Plateau Peaks by 87-82 to pick their first win in the league while Gombe Bulls handed defending champions Kano Pillars its worst defeat ever by 86-68 points victory.
In the Atlantic Conference, Ebun Comets and Hoops & Read lost on the road with Comets succumbing to the superior fire power of Kwara Falcons by 81-57 points while Hoops & Read narrowly lost to Oluyole Warriors of Ibadan by 82-80 points.
Meanwhile, Police Batons basketball club of Lagos recorded its first win of the season beating Delta Force 86-77 points at the new home court of the Atlantic Conference teams in Lagos, the Digital Bridge Institute, Cappa, Oshodi. The game went into overtime after scores stood at 77-77 at end of regulation time.
The second game Anambra Flames Basketball Club of Awka defeated Customs Basketball Club of Lagos by 72 – 56 points.
