By Ado Salisu
Players of Kano Pillars basketball team are expected to leave Kano to Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital today Saturday ahead of the Nigerian Premier basketball league tagged:”final 8 championship.
The over 20-man contingent which consist of players, coaches and officials are in high spirits ahead of the tournament scheduled to commence from August 30th to September 6, 2026.
The Pyramids side who secured the qualification tickets after excel in the first and second phase of the competition in Jos, the Plateau state capital and Minna, the Niger state capital respectively.
The team is expected to compete along sides Aso Sky Hawks of Abuja, City Chiefs of Gboko, Benue state, 313 Warriors of Minna, Niger state, Maktown Flyers of Makurdi, Benue state, Hoops and Reads and Raptors both teams from Lagos state as well as the host team, Royal Hoopers of Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
Speaking with newsmen, The Executive chairman of Kano State Sports Commission (KSSC), Alhaji Muhammad Tukur Babangida charged the players and coaches to continue to project the image of the state as well as redoubling their performance aimed at emerging victorious at the end the championship.
While commending Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for approving the release of funds to enable the state darling team, Kano Pillars basketball to participate in the final 8, he charged them to reciprocate the state government gesture by excelling in the tournament and eventually represent the country at FIBA African basketball clubs championship.
”We rally appreciate the state government efforts especially in releasing the funds and I’m sure with the calibre of the players couple with prayers from the people of Kano State, the sky will be their limit,” the chairman explained.
It could be recalled that Kano Pillars basketball team have won the Nigerian Premier basketball league for fourth consecutives times and excel in the FIBA Africa Clubs basketball championship some years ago.
