Sports: Basketball: First Bank Starts Africa Club Women Championship Preparation

By Eddie Akalonu Head coach of First Bank Basketball club of Lagos and Nigerian reigning champions, Aderemi Adewunmi has defended the early commencement of his teams preparation for the Africa Club Women Championship qualifiers later this year. The The team have been training at the the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos First Bank which for ten years were undisputed champions of Nigeria, in the immediate past season returned to the top by winning the women league, after playing second fiddle to First Deepwater from the 2010/2011 season. The 1003 African women champions beat Dolphin of Lagos in the final of 2013/ 2014 season in Lagos. According to Aderemi a.k.a 'Owolo' "We began preparation on August 18 because we do not want to wait until a FIBA Africa notice before getting things done. We actually do not know when a FIBA AFRICA letter will be issued." "So, I decided we should start ready for the championship and on-going," he stated "We have rookies whom we need to work on all the year round, so as to turn them into keen and focused players. Therefore, whenever anytime the FIBA AFRICA gives the go ahead to play, we will be almost ready to play.” he said. Besides, Adewunmi said a big club like First Bank with a rich history in women basketball in Nigeria does not leave things to chance. "We have a tradition in First Bank Basketball club, we do not wait for official notifications before getting things done even if it's about local league, we do not wait for Nigeria Basketball Federation to announce the commencement date for the league." The 2013/2014 female league winning coach was was however silent on possible players signed by the side for both local and continental challenges but hinted there may never be as players on the team roaster have been together for some years on. " I believe in the present crop of players because we have been together for the past 4 years and they are roaring to do well in the continental championship as they did at home."