Zenith Women Basketball League Explained

National Women Basketball League (NWBL)
Sport:Basketball
Founded:2004 (in current format)
Inaugural:2005
Teams:18
Continent:FIBA Africa (Africa)
Champion:MFM Queens (1st title)
Champ Season:2023
Most Champs:First Bank (9 titles)
Website:Official website

The National Women Basketball League, known as Zenith Women Basketball League for sponsorship reasons is the top-level women's basketball club competition in Nigeria. It is the women's version of Nigeria Premier League organized by the Nigeria Basketball Federation.[1] The league also determines the Nigerian representatives at FIBA Africa Women's Clubs Champions Cup.[2] [3]

History

The league started with five teams, however the number grew to eighteen by 2017.[4] The league has been sponsored by Zenith Bank since 2004.[5] In 2017, after the expiration of the contract agreement between NBBF and Zenith Bank, the banking institution renewed the terms of the negotiation with bigger winning bonus for the teams. The winner of the league receives a ₦30,000,000 prize money.[6] The league is criticized for being overly dominated by First Bank, First Deepwater and Dolphins.[7]

The league was suspended for 3 years after the 2019 season, the first two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in 2022 due to a disputed election within the Nigeria Basketball Federation.[8] The league resumed in August 2023,[9] with MFM Queens winning the title in late October.[10]

Players in the league are semi-pro, with most receiving a small stipend.[11]

Teams

The following are the eighteen teams that participate in the league:[12]

TeamLocation
First DeepwaterLagos
Nigeria CustomsLagos
Elephant Girls (aka First Bank)Lagos
Nigeria ImmigrationAbuja
AHIP Queens Kano
Benue PrincessMakurdi
Coal City AngelsEnugu
GT2000Kaduna
Oluyole BabesIbadan
IGP QueensLagos
Plateau RocksPlateau State
Delta ForceDelta State
DolphinsPort Harcourt
Zamfara BabesZamfara State
FCT AngelsAbuja
Sunshine AngelsOndo State
Nasarawa AmazonsNasarawa State
Taraba HurricanesTaraba State

List of winners

YearWinnerRunnerupRef
2023MFM QueensNigeria Customs[13]
2019Air WarriorsMFM Queens[14]
2018First BankFirst Deepwater
2017First BankFirst Deepwater[15]
2016First Bank Dolphins[16]
2015DolphinsFirst Bank[17]
2014First BankDolphins[18]
2013First Deepwater Dolphins
2012 First DeepwaterFirst Bank
2011First DeepwaterFirst Bank[19] [20]
2010First DeepwaterFirst Bank
2009First BankFirst Deepwater
2008First BankDolphins
2007First BankDolphins
2006First BankDolphins
2005First BankDolphins

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nigeria Women Basketball: FCT Angels defeat Nasarawa Amazons . April 26, 2015 . Premium Times . 2017-09-15.
  2. Web site: Basketball: First Bank Coach Ahmedu Targets Women’s Africa Champions Cup Qualification . Edward . Johnny . August 2, 2017 . Complete Sports Nigeria . 2017-09-28.
  3. Web site: First Bank, Dolphins qualify for African Women Basketball Champions Cup . Guardian Nigeria . 2017-09-28.
  4. Web site: Zenith declares continuous commitment to Women’s Basketball League . Ajom . Jacob . February 25, 2016 . Vanguard . 2017-09-15.
  5. Web site: Title sponsorship of the National Women Basketball League (in conjunction with the Nigeria Basketball Federation) . Zenith Bank . 2017-09-15.
  6. Web site: Zenith Bank splashes 30 million to sponsor Women Basketball league . Guardian . 2017-09-15.
  7. Web site: Nigerian basketball needs restructuring – D’Tigress guard . September 30, 2017 . . 2017-10-03.
  8. Web site: NBBF Leadership Impasse: Basketball Players Storm Sports Minister’s Office, Demand Immediate Action . Precise Post . 17 November 2023.
  9. Web site: Zenith Women’s Elite Basketball league tips off . ACL Sports . 17 November 2023.
  10. Web site: MFM are champions of the 2023 Nigerian Zenith Bank Women Basketball League . FIBA . 17 November 2023.
  11. Web site: Omisakin . Dotun . Three years after, Nigeria’s women basketball league yet to dunk-off, triggers talent drain . International Centre for Investigative Reporting . 17 November 2023.
  12. Web site: Zenith women League teams . 2017-09-15.
  13. Web site: MFM Are Champions Of 2023 Zenith Women’s Basketball League . Sports Market International . 17 November 2023.
  14. Web site: Igwe . Ignatius . Women Basketball League: Air Warriors Emerge 2019 Champions . Channels TV . 17 November 2023.
  15. Web site: FirstBank Blow Out Deepwater, Win Zenith Women’s Basketball League . Boluwaji . Bamidele . July 29, 2017 . Complete Sports . 2017-09-15.
  16. Web site: FirstBank Elephant Girls win the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball Championship . May 24, 2016 . 2017-09-15.
  17. Web site: ZENITH WOMEN’S BASKETBALL LEAGUE FINAL: Dolphins Beat First Bank Elephants . Sport Day Newspaper . 2017-09-15.
  18. Web site: Zenith Bank Women Basketball League has come of age . Ngobua . David . April 16, 2016 . Dailytrust . 2017-09-15.
  19. Web site: Delta Force Wins At Zenith Bank Basketball League . June 11, 2012 . Tide Newspaper . 2017-09-15.
  20. Web site: Zenith Bank League: Aderemi Vows To Beat Deepwater In Ilorin.