After a successful inaugural tournament in February 2023, where Kwara Falcons emerged champions by beating the Spintex Knights.
The Louis Edem Foundation has announced they will be introducing a Play-In tournament as a prelude to the next tournament.
According to the President of the foundation, Louis Edem Ekpeyong, the tournament has raised major interest from major stakeholders, which has since led to the need for diversity and inclusion.
“Since we closed out on the last championship, we have received a lot of enquiries from team owners and players who want to participate. So, we have decided to come up with a NBA Play-in styled pre-tournament that will have the bottom four teams from the last tournament compete with new teams for a place in the main 8 team tournament”
“We are trying as much as possible to work with all stakeholders to elevate the game of basketball in Nigeria, so we are going to, by every means open up to innovative ways to ensure everyone is included”.
The Play-In tournament is planned to have the four teams Warlords, Police Batons, Gidi Giants, Unilag who crashed out in the group phase of the first season, play a knockout round-robbing open competition that will provide 2 qualifiers that will join the top six from last season in the main tournament.
In addition to the Play-In tournament. LEF has also introduced a league format 4 women’s team Playoffs that will reward the winning team and the runners up with a cash prize.
“Its always important to carry our women along. We hope this format for the Women’s championship will kick start a much more formidable championship down the line”
Reigning champions Kwara Falcons will look to defend their title against runner up Spintex Knights of Ghana, Rivers Hoopers, Lagos Legends, Comets, Raptors and the two new entrants coming from the Play-In tournament.
