Former Bauchi Nets coach, Umar Bala has made history in neighbouring
Benin Republic, winning the first silverware for his club, Renaissance
basketball of Cotonou.
Bala, who played for Kano Pillars before delving into coaching
picked the trophy of the country’s elite league, beating former
champions, ASPAC basketball club also of Cotonou in a fiercely fought
encounter that ended 75-69 in over time.
An elated Bala told Daily Sunsports after the encounter that
he was happy for bringing relief to the followers of the team that had
dreamt endlessly for the country’s top prize in basketball.
“I must tell you that I’m glad that finally, the hopes and
aspirations of the owner of the team and the supporters have become a
reality by virtue of us winning this trophy. They have tried
ceaselessly for over a decade but have fallen short and I have brought
them succour. I told the president of the club that I came to his team
to prove a point and I’ve done that,” he stated.
Incidentally, Umar got to glory land, beating a fellow Nigerian
colleague in the final. ASPAC coached by Charles Osho formerly of Comets
of Lagos had everything going for him in the dying seconds of the
match, but his captain, Brice Yovo threw away the game out of excitement
with scores at 62-62.
Newly elected FIBA Africa Zone 3 President, Col Sam Ahmedu (retd) on
Saturday, August 23, 2014 carried out his first official duty, with a
visit to the Benin Republic Basketball Federation, where he was the
special guest of honour at the finals of the Benin Republic League.
A proud Benin Republic Basketball Federation President, Alex
Paraiso, whose team incidentally emerged champions celebrated along with
members of his federation that the newly elected FIBA Africa Zone 3
president was on hand to hand over the champions trophy.
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