Union Bank prepares for better outing

The management of Union Bank Basketball Club has said that it has put behind it inability to qualify for the grand finale of the 2005/2006 Vmobile Premierl league from the Atlantic conference which ended in Lagos last weekend.

The team said that the problem which prevented it from qualifying for the national final was temporary as efforts have been made to guide against a reoccurrence.

It also stated that it has learned from the mistakes and that all hands would be on deck to ensure the team does better in subsequent championships.

On the crisis, which rocked the team in the Atlantic conference play-offs, the management said that the introduction of former Nigeria international, Ayinla Johnson was not responsible for the team's inability to make it to the National final which is expected to hold in lagos from July 28 through 30.

It further said that the introduction of Ayinla was meant to help boost the team in its quest to win the national title after emerging victorious at the end of the regular season of the more competitive Atlantic conference of the league.

Many had expected the Stallion Boys to pick one of the two tickets in the Atlantic conference, which they failed to do.

According to the team manager of the 2005 NBBF/Vmobile challenge winner, Rotimi Savage, the idea of bringing in Ayinla was to help boost the team's chances of qualifying for the finals from the Atlantic conference and also emerging victorious at the grand finale. He said that Ayinla, who is based in London, had at different times joined the team at crucial stages on the local and continental scene.

Savage revealed that he was shocked to learn that the non-qualification of his team was ascribed to the presnce of Ayinla.

"Ayinla has been a regular face within the Union Bank basketball club fold. He was with us at last year's challenge in Abuja where we emerged victorious.

So, the claim that Ayinla was imposed on the team is spurious. I believe that his presence has helped us and why some believe that he is causing disaffection is what I don’t understand. The team manager hinted that Ayinla was at the National Sports Festival where alongside coach Emma Okolo recruited players for the team and was also at the Abeokuta camp prior to the play-offs. He said that the development derailed the ambition of his team.

Savage said that Ayinla has proved his loyalty to the club despite receiving no financial remuneration from the club for his trip to Nigeria and his expertise to the club.

On allegation that he was high-handed and knew nothing about players’ welfare, Savage said that it was unfortunate that such thing could be ascribed to him as he nurtured the club from infancy to the present level.

"What did the management of the bank approved for players which I refused to give to them? Have I at any time misappropriated funds meant for the team? The facts are there for everyone to see", he said.

He however said that the disaffection might have been caused by external factors who are fanning the embers of discord and are not ready to come to terms with the rising profile of the team. He added that the team would bounce back next season to reclaim the title, which belongs to it.