Basketball

Air Warriors Remembers Late Coach Saratu Luga

Published

5 years ago

May 18, 2020

On this day, a year ago the basketball community was thrown into mourning following the announcement of the death of one of the most promising female basketball coach in Nigeria has ever seen.

Saratu Luga, ‘World Coach’ as she was popularly called started the game of basketball as a player in her days in the higher institutions and then at AHIP foundation in Kano from 2004-2007, after which she earned the team Captainship, she then graduated to the position of the Assistant Coach in the AHIP basketball Club, Kano. AHIP basketball club is in the National Basketball Federation (NBBF) Zenith Female Basketball League.

She has coached the following teams thereafter, Head Coach for Air Warriors basketball Club of Abuja (Female team) and Assistant Coach for the male team. Head Coach for City Sparks female basketball team Abuja and Coach on the Jr NBA Power Forward project, Abuja.

Coach Saratu Luga was killed in a car accident by a drunken Medical Doctor around the CBN Headquarters in Abuja and seven persons lost their lives in the accident.
The chairman of Air Warriors, Abdulmajid Solademi, pay tribute to late Saratu while calling on the basketball community and stakeholders to support the family.

‘’We lost a young and super talented icon, Coach Saratu Luga, we can proudly say, her leadership skills and commitments inspired our female team to lift 2019 National Women’s basketball league title in our debut season’’.

‘’Some truth in life is hard to accept. Your departure is one of those hard truths. Your memories will never be forgotten, I also urged the basketball family to always support the family she has left behind’’.

According to the Project Manager Power Forward, Terfa Akpoyibo said Saratu Luga will always be remembered for her tremendous contribution in developing young talents for the country.

‘’We will remember Saratu for her great role in the game because she loved her job and embraced it with passionately, she impacted the lives of the children in a positive way and we will continue to remember for all what she did to improve the game at the grassroots’’.

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Basketball

WESIE League Set to Transform Basketball and Ignite Investor Interest in Sports, Says Founder Funke Adeniji

Published

1 month ago

November 8, 2024

The Gleamer

Funke A. Adeniji, the visionary founder of the Women’s Elite Sports Empowerment Initiative (WESIE), announced that the WESIE Basketball League, a groundbreaking endeavor designed to reimagine basketball in Nigeria and attract increased business investment in sports.

Speaking on the sidelines of the league’s kickoff, Adeniji emphasized that the initiative is more than just a competition—it’s a platform aimed at elevating the visibility and commercial appeal of sports, particularly for women athletes.

“This is the first basketball league of its kind in Nigeria, featuring women’s teams across 15 states,” Adeniji explained. “Every weekend for the next six weeks, fans will see teams battle it out in a home-and-away format, bringing an international-standard experience to audiences nationwide.”

The league, exclusively for players over 18, is rooted in addressing gender disparities in sports. By providing elite female athletes with equal opportunities, WESIE hopes to drive greater recognition, paving the way for enhanced visibility on national and global stages.

“This isn’t just about competition; it’s about transforming the sports landscape to inspire businesses to support and invest in women’s sports, amplifying their market reach and social impact,” Adeniji stated.

The inaugural weekend saw thrilling matchups across seven games, delivering powerful performances and a taste of the excitement to come. Victoria Queens defeated Hope Dreams 52-37, while Life League secured a victory over Book and Ball with a score of 58-47.

In subsequent clashes, Life League narrowly fell to Hoop Dreams 29-30, while Victoria Queens clinched a second triumph, overcoming Book and Ball with a 62-36 win. AGF had a hard-fought battle but narrowly lost to V. Buzzers 57-59. IMBA delivered a solid 50-36 victory over Hope, and Divine Speed capped the weekend with an impressive 23-13 win over Hope, setting the tone for a fiercely competitive season.

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