Odaudu Questions Women’s Basketball League Structure, Criticises D’Tigress World Cup Preparation
Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu has questioned the structure of Nigeria’s domestic basketball league, describing the competition as more of a tournament because of its short duration.
Odaudu, a former head coach of the D’Tigers, made the comments during a television programme, expressing concern that players and teams spend most of the year preparing for a competition that lasts only a few months.
«“People practise all year round just to come and play basketball for two months. It doesn’t make sense,” Odaudu said.
«“It’s not really a league; it’s more like a tournament. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say that, but that’s how I see it.”
The Rivers Hoopers coach believes the current format does little to support the sustained development of players or provide teams with enough competitive games throughout the year.
His comments have again highlighted concerns over the domestic basketball calendar and the need for a longer, more consistent competition structure capable of keeping players active and teams properly tested.
Odaudu Predicts Four-Horse Playoff Race
Despite his reservations about the league structure, Odaudu believes the quality of the teams competing this season has made the championship race difficult to predict.
The Rivers Hoopers coach rejected suggestions that the playoffs would be a two-team contest, insisting that four teams have a realistic chance of winning the title.
«“From what I saw and the level of basketball on display, no team is going to have an easy game in the playoffs,” he said.»
«“So, it’s not proper to say it’s going to be a two-horse race. No, it’s not a two-horse race. I would say it’s going to be a four-horse race, and the fastest horse at the end of the day will be crowned champion.”»
Odaudu Questions D’Tigress World Cup Preparation
Odaudu also criticised the preparation of the D’Tigress for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany, where Nigeria struggled during the group stage.
According to the former national team coach, the limited time available for the coaching staff and players to work together raised serious questions about the team’s preparation.
«“I simply cannot understand why the head coach of a team would only join forces with the players two or three days before the main tournament begins,” Odaudu said.»
«“It doesn’t make sense. How do you expect the team to play effectively under those circumstances?”»
Odaudu believes adequate preparation and team cohesion are essential for success at major international tournaments, arguing that teams cannot reasonably be expected to compete at the highest level after only a few days of collective training.
Call for a More Sustainable Basketball Structure
The Rivers Hoopers coach’s comments point to wider structural issues within Nigerian basketball, both at domestic and national-team level.
While he questioned the short domestic league calendar, he also stressed the importance of giving national teams sufficient time to prepare ahead of major competitions.
For Odaudu, the solution requires a more deliberate and sustained approach to player development, domestic competition and national-team preparation if Nigeria is to consistently compete among the world’s best basketball nations.
