The female team of the Bayelsa State Basketball Association embarked on their journey from Yenagoa at approximately 8:15 am on August 21, 2023. The team consisted of 16 individuals, comprising 13 players and 3 officials. They reached Akure, Ondo State, around 4:50 pm on the same day to participate in the first phase of the Basketball Female League, generously sponsored by Zenith Bank.
On August 22, 2023, at approximately 11:30 am, a pre-match meeting took place at the stadium. Six teams were present in the Atlantic Conference: Bayelsa, 1st Bank, MFM, IGP, Dolphin, and Sunshine of Akure. It was clarified that a victory would earn a team 2 points, playing a match would secure 1 point, and nonattendance would result in zero points.
On August 23, 2023, Team Bayelsa Basketball faced Sunshine of Akure and emerged victorious with a score of 61-44. They continued their impressive performance on August 24, 2023, defeating Dolphin of Lagos with a score of 50-39. However, on August 25, 2023, they faced First Bank of Lagos and experienced a loss with a score of 61-26. Team Bayelsa bounced back on August 26, 2023, against IGP Queens, winning with a score of 80-57. Their final match on August 27, 2023, was against MFM of Lagos, which they won with a score of 38-35.
On August 28, 2023, a contingent of 12 individuals, including 2 coaches and 10 players, embarked on a self-sponsored trip from Akure to Lagos, departing at around 7 am. This trip was undertaken to participate in the Louis Edem Invitational West Africa Basketball Championship, which was scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 2, 2023. The purpose of attending this championship was to keep the players in competitive form in preparation for Phase Two of the NBBF/Zenith Bank Women’s League, scheduled for September 18 to 24, 2023, in Asaba, Delta State.
Additionally, a group of four individuals, including a secretary and 3 athletes, departed from Akure at approximately 6:02 am and safely arrived in Yenagoa on the same day at about 2:10 pm.
Overall, Team Bayelsa played a total of 5 matches, winning 4 and losing 1. Their outstanding performance has positioned them in second place on the league table. They have qualified to compete in Phase Two of the League in Asaba, Delta State, from September 18 to 24, 2023, with the grand finale scheduled to take place in Lagos in October of the same year.
On behalf of the entire Bayelsa State Basketball Association, gratitude is expressed to God Almighty for the successful outing, the Bayelsa State Government for their approval and timely financial support for the trip, the Honorable Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, the Director of Sports, and the management team for their prayers and unwavering moral support.
This report has been compiled by Mrs. Dorcas E. Innocent, who serves as the Secretary of the Bayelsa State Basketball Association.
