Ghana‘s male premier basketball league, the Accra Basketball League Men’s Division I has grappled with acute funding challenges over the years and heading into the 2017 season there is very little indication that will change.
The league is scheduled to tip off on March 10 and registration of players for the season is ongoing.
Matters are much different and better in close rival Nigeria, where the Male Premier Basketball League is already looking for a new partner after its deal with African television giants DSTV run out last season.
Per Bball Naija.com, the announcement was made during the Nigerian Basketball Federation’s Annual General Meeting in the nation’s capital Abuja.
According to Strategy and Marketing Manager of the Federation Kunle Raji, DSTV has hinted at renewing the contract but is yet to give a formal response hence the need for the federation to seek other sources. He said:
“This notwithstanding, we are actively pursuing alternative sponsorship options. We are very close to finalising another sponsorship deal, a 5 year deal worth about $12m. A more profitable one than we currently have. We are not at liberty to disclose the details until it is formally announced because of non-disclosure clauses”
The meeting was held prior to the Awards Night where Kano Pillars Dele Ademola was named Player of the Year in the Male category. He beat Romeo Enan formerly of Accra Basketball League Champions Braves of Customs.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@ YawMintYM on Twitter
