As Kwara Falcons attempt to take part in its first ever international competition, Club Chairman, Aliyu Jubril says the club is optimistic of getting the needed support from the state government in time for the Basketball Africa League.
Kwara Falcons will participate at the Tournoi Championship in Abidjan between February 27th to March 1st 2023, before proceeding to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) between 11th to 24th March, 2023.
Speaking from the club’s training camp in Abidjan, Aliyu affirmed that the club has received unwavering support from the Kwara State Sport Commission and the Nigeria Basketball Federation in areas needed to collaborate.
Aliyu said, “We’ve been in constant communication with the NBBF, who acknowledged that the team is not only representing Kwara state but the entire country in a competition that is closely followed by viewers from across the globe.”
“Likewise, the government realises that the team is putting Kwara state on the world map in Africa’s biggest basketball tournament, supported by the NBA in its first League outside America.
“The state sports commission has been supportive in securing the state government’s commitment to provide all the support needed to excel at the tournament and we are hopeful that the government commitments will materialise in time for the tournament”.
He added that availability of standard training facilities, avoidance of distractions and convergence of quality oppositions at the level expected at the BAL, was responsible for choosing Abidjan for camping.
Kwara Falcons faces three clubs all competing at this year’s BAL starting with a clash against Sahara Conference Oppositions in Stade Malien of Mali Tuesday followed by games against Abidjan Basketball Club Fighters and Kadji Sport Academy of Cameroun on Wednesday and Thursday respectively with the aim to expose the players to International facilities and also blend the local players with the newly recruited foreign players.
