NAN-S-13
Basketball
By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Lagos, May 17, 2017 (NAN) Some international players in the ongoing Continental Basketball League on Wednesday expressed satisfaction with playing in Lagos, saying they had they had enjoyed the hospitality of the people.
The players told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the matches played so far were keenly contested and that competition had the potential to develop the sport in Africa.
Egypt international Mohammed Ewida, playing with the Eko Kings of Lagos team, said he was happy to be in Lagos for the competition.
Ewida observed that from the matches played so far, the competition would be keenly contested.
“It has been wonderful; we have played some very good matches and being able to win the three matches played so far is a plus to our team’s chemistry and hard work.
“We will continue to work harder and hopefully achieve our objective which is to win the championship.
“I’m enjoying my stay in Nigeria; the hospitality is great and the people are very friendly and supportive.
“I love the food, especially the fried rice and chicken,’’ Ewida said.
U.S.-based Mark Hill, also with the Eko Kings, said he was happy to be in Nigeria and would do everything possible for his team’s success.
“I love it in Nigeria; it is a great country. The people are friendly and very caring, and I love every moment of my stay so far.
“I look forward to a great time and hopefully do well, to give my team that extra push, so that we may eventually achieve at the end,’’ Hill said.
Jerry Graddy from North Carolina, U.S., who is featuring for the Libreville Izobe Dragons of Gabon, said he was enjoying the competition and would always want to be part of the CBL story.
“It has afforded me the opportunity to come to Africa, and it has been a worthwhile experience so far.
“We lost our first game because of the weather here, which is very hot and very humid; however, I have been drinking a lot of water.
“Hopefully, I will be stronger in the next game.
“I am happy to be in Nigeria and play basketball; it feels good to finally come to Africa.
“It will be very interesting to go back with the championship trophy,’’ Graddy said.
Anthony McDonald from Aberdeen, Mississippi, U.S., who plays in the shooting guard position for Libreville Izobe Dragons of Gabon, said that playing in the CBL had given him the opportunity to play a professional league away from home.
“It is first time in Africa, having been to Gabon and now in Nigeria.
“I would be heading to Cameroon; indeed it is a great fun for me visiting these African countries.
“From what I have seen so far in the competition, it will be tough and keenly contested.
“We are prepared to bounce back, having lost the first game,’’ Grady said.
A Kenya international, Tom Bush-Wamukota, featuring for the Eko Kings, said that coming to Nigeria was the best thing to have happened to him.
He said he was enjoying every moment of the competition, adding, “I love the hospitality; I love the food and the weather is something I am used to already in Kenya.
“It feels good to experience life in another African country.
“We are working hard daily in training, and in the two games played so far, I have been enjoying myself, especially the hospitality I have encountered in Nigeria.
“It is a tough competition, and it is expected to be this way because of the quality of players in the league.
“So, we just have to continue to play harder and hopefully do well for our fans,’’ Wamukota said.
NAN reports that Eko Kings beat Libreville Izobe Dragons of Gabon to record their third straight victory, leading all other teams in the competition.
The CBL has gone on break after first round matches and will resume actions on May 19 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos. (NAN)
The competition, which holds from May 12 to May 30, is to celebrate Lagos State at 50. (NAN)
BAO/FLP/PDE
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(Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Peter Ejiofor)