The Rivers State government has reiterated its support to the state’s owned basketball team, Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club.
The state’s Commissioner for Sports, Boma Iyaye disclosed this during an interactive session with the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter at the Sports Secretariat in Port Harcourt.
Iyaye commended the team for their impressive performance in the 2015/2016 DSTV Basketball League where the team finished third behind Nigeria Customs and Kano Pillars.
“For Rivers Hoopers, they have done very well. They are a team that was hurriedly put together this season and finished third in the DSTV Basketball League.
“We hope that the recruitment we are planning to do will ensure they play on the continent at the end of next season,” Iyaye enthused.
The Port Harcourt based side travelled for their away games through public transportation all through last season which they said was quite expensive and stressful, and Iyaye has promised to provide a bus for the team before the new season kicks off in few months.
“They were a private company before the state government took them over barely one year ago. I plead with them to allow us make arrangements for them.
“We will do it for them because there is no way they will be travelling via public transportation. We will look for a way out for them and arrange a bus,” he said.
The Sports Commissioner said there will be no discrimination in the way the government will deal with the football teams (Rivers United and Rivers Angels) and Rivers Hoopers.
“The bus will serve as a brand for the team. We will ensure that the same support we give to the other teams is the same support we will give to them (Rivers Hoopers).” Iyaye pledged.
The state’s Commissioner for Sports, Boma Iyaye disclosed this during an interactive session with the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter at the Sports Secretariat in Port Harcourt.
Iyaye commended the team for their impressive performance in the 2015/2016 DSTV Basketball League where the team finished third behind Nigeria Customs and Kano Pillars.
“For Rivers Hoopers, they have done very well. They are a team that was hurriedly put together this season and finished third in the DSTV Basketball League.
“We hope that the recruitment we are planning to do will ensure they play on the continent at the end of next season,” Iyaye enthused.
The Port Harcourt based side travelled for their away games through public transportation all through last season which they said was quite expensive and stressful, and Iyaye has promised to provide a bus for the team before the new season kicks off in few months.
“They were a private company before the state government took them over barely one year ago. I plead with them to allow us make arrangements for them.
“We will do it for them because there is no way they will be travelling via public transportation. We will look for a way out for them and arrange a bus,” he said.
The Sports Commissioner said there will be no discrimination in the way the government will deal with the football teams (Rivers United and Rivers Angels) and Rivers Hoopers.
“The bus will serve as a brand for the team. We will ensure that the same support we give to the other teams is the same support we will give to them (Rivers Hoopers).” Iyaye pledged.
