Zenith_Women_Basketball_League
Zenith Women Basketball League
Women's basketball league in Nigeria
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]
| Sport | Basketball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2004 (in current format) |
| First season | 2005 |
| No. of teams | 18 |
| Country |  Nigeria |
| Continent | FIBA Africa (Africa) |
| Most recent champion(s) | MFM Queens (1st title) (2023) |
| Most titles | First Bank (9 titles) |
| Official website | Official website |
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.[4] 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]
The following are the eighteen teams that participate in the league:[12]
| Team | Location |
|---|---|
| First Deepwater | Lagos |
| Nigeria Customs | Lagos |
| Elephant Girls (aka First Bank) | Lagos |
| Nigeria Immigration | Abuja |
| AHIP Queens | Kano |
| Benue Princess | Makurdi |
| Coal City Angels | Enugu |
| GT2000 | Kaduna |
| Oluyole Babes | Ibadan |
| IGP Queens | Lagos |
| Plateau Rocks | Plateau State |
| Delta Force | Delta State |
| Dolphins | Port Harcourt |
| Zamfara Babes | Zamfara State |
| FCT Angels | Abuja |
| Sunshine Angels | Ondo State |
| Nasarawa Amazons | Nasarawa State |
| Taraba Hurricanes | Taraba State |
| Year | Winner | Runnerup | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | MFM Queens | Nigeria Customs | [13] |
| 2019 | Air Warriors | MFM Queens | [14] |
| 2018 | First Bank | First Deepwater | [15] |
| 2017 | First Bank | First Deepwater | [16] |
| 2016 | First Bank | Dolphins | [17][6] |
| 2015 | Dolphins | First Bank | [18] |
| 2014 | First Bank | Dolphins | [15] |
| 2013 | First Deepwater | Dolphins | [15] |
| 2012 | First Deepwater | First Bank | [15] |
| 2011 | First Deepwater | First Bank | [19][20] |
| 2010 | First Deepwater | First Bank | [15] |
| 2009 | First Bank | First Deepwater | [15] |
| 2008 | First Bank | Dolphins | [15] |
| 2007 | First Bank | Dolphins | [15] |
| 2006 | First Bank | Dolphins | [15] |
| 2005 | First Bank | Dolphins | [15] |
- "Nigeria Women Basketball: FCT Angels defeat Nasarawa Amazons". Premium Times. April 26, 2015. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
- Edward, Johnny (August 2, 2017). "Basketball: First Bank Coach Ahmedu Targets Women's Africa Champions Cup Qualification". Complete Sports Nigeria. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
- "First Bank, Dolphins qualify for African Women Basketball Champions Cup". Guardian Nigeria. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
- Ajom, Jacob (February 25, 2016). "Zenith declares continuous commitment to Women's Basketball League". Vanguard. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
- "Title sponsorship of the National Women Basketball League (in conjunction with the Nigeria Basketball Federation)". Zenith Bank. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
- "Zenith Bank splashes 30 million to sponsor Women Basketball league". Guardian. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
- "Nigerian basketball needs restructuring – D'Tigress guard". The Punch. September 30, 2017. Retrieved 2017-10-03.
- "NBBF Leadership Impasse: Basketball Players Storm Sports Minister's Office, Demand Immediate Action". Precise Post. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- "Zenith Women's Elite Basketball league tips off". ACL Sports. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- "MFM are champions of the 2023 Nigerian Zenith Bank Women Basketball League". FIBA. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- Omisakin, Dotun. "Three years after, Nigeria's women basketball league yet to dunk-off, triggers talent drain". International Centre for Investigative Reporting. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- "Zenith women League teams". Retrieved 2017-09-15.
- "MFM Are Champions Of 2023 Zenith Women's Basketball League". Sports Market International. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- Igwe, Ignatius. "Women Basketball League: Air Warriors Emerge 2019 Champions". Channels TV. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- Ngobua, David (April 16, 2016). "Zenith Bank Women Basketball League has come of age". Dailytrust. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
- Boluwaji, Bamidele (July 29, 2017). "FirstBank Blow Out Deepwater, Win Zenith Women's Basketball League". Complete Sports. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
- "FirstBank Elephant Girls win the Zenith Bank Women's Basketball Championship". May 24, 2016. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
- "ZENITH WOMEN'S BASKETBALL LEAGUE FINAL: Dolphins Beat First Bank Elephants". Sport Day Newspaper. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
- "Delta Force Wins At Zenith Bank Basketball League". Tide Newspaper. June 11, 2012. Retrieved 2017-09-15.