Dolphins to begin early preparations for next season

...We will return stronger and better than this season – Team Manager, Yetunde Abdulkarim

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye 

 

 

 

Dolphins Basketball Club of Lagos have already begun preparations for the 2027 Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League season, with the Lagos-based side determined to return stronger after a challenging 2026 campaign.

Team Manager, Mrs. Yetunde Abdulkarim, described the just-concluded season as an important learning experience for the club, revealing that the management has identified areas that require improvement ahead of their next title challenge.

Abdulkarim, who spoke in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye, said the club intends to assemble its players much earlier next season to allow adequate time for training, team bonding and tactical development.

According to her, Dolphins were disadvantaged by the limited time available to build chemistry among a largely new squad before the competition began.

“You know, we just started getting everybody together. It’s a new team, a new set of players, so they did very well,” she said.

“Well, they’ve learned to be more resilient. They’ve learned to play more as a team because that was a little bit lacking. They came in very close to the competition, and we also got the date of the competition at very short notice.”

The Dolphins manager praised the players for their commitment, stressing that the circumstances surrounding the team’s preparation made their performance even more commendable.

“The girls did well. They performed very well, despite the fact that they just came together a week before the competition,” Abdulkarim said.

“We just got new players who joined us, so they had to work together for just a few days before they went for the competition. It was really challenging, but they really did their best.

“They still showed what they are made of as Dolphins girls. Even though most of them were new, they really did well.”

With the lessons from the season fresh in mind, Abdulkarim disclosed that the club has already shifted its attention to the next campaign.

“Yeah, we’re working on next season. We’re working on what we’re going to do better and on getting the players ready before then,” she said.

She explained that the plan is to have the squad together for an extended period before the start of the league, giving the players enough time to develop understanding and consistency on the court.

“Maybe like three months before the next season, everybody will be together in camp and we’ll start working on their training, their team performance and all that. We’re working on the next season.

“The players that played this one will be there, and we’ll be getting more players to work with, so everybody works together and we’ll get the best team for next season,” she added.

Abdulkarim also expressed confidence that Dolphins will mount another serious challenge for the league title, insisting that the club has no intention of resting on its laurels.

“Definitely we will. I’m telling you, we’re coming back better, and we’re not relenting this time,” she declared.

“We’ll make sure we get the right people on the court, and we’re going to make sure that they work ahead of time and work together as a team.”

She also appealed to Dolphins supporters to continue believing in the team, assuring them that the club remains committed to building a stronger side for the new season.

“Well, we reassure them that we’re going to do better next season. They shouldn’t worry. We’re coming back bigger and better,” she said.

“So I believe they believe in us. Don’t worry. They are with us. They are with us.”