Nigeria Basketball Ban:

More Troubles As USA Based Group Seeks Take-Over of National Teams

…FNS Says It’s Shameful and Selfish 

By Lateef Adekola 

More troubles are coming the ways of the embattled board of NBBF led by Musa Kida in coming days, as a group of ex-national basketball players have submitted a proposal to the FMY&SD, asking for take-over of the activities of both the male and female national basketball teams on the international scenes. 

The USA based group under the aegis of Nigerian Basketball Diaspora Steering Committee had in its letter signed by Daniel Okonkwo, Legal Counsel; Kingsley Ogwudire, Chairman and Dr. Ebenezer Aluma, as PRO, recognised the recent successes recorded in recent times by the national teams, adding that it is interested to help keep the momentum by taking over the runnings of the national teams. 

The group also promised to raise and provide the required funding, training venues, accommodations, travels and other necessities through sponsorships, investors and corporations.

However, in a quick reaction to the proposal, which it describes as ‘preposterous and unsolicited’, Friends of Nigeria Sports in a statement demanded to know why the Steering Committee are showing their hands at this critical period. Even as Nigerians are angry with the unpopular ban placed on Nigeria basketball by the Sports Ministry. 

National Coordinator of FNS, Dipreiye Thompson said; “What does this So-called Steering Committee really want? In the past years, what have been their contributions to the development of basketball in Nigeria?” he asked rhetorically. 

” Friends of Nigeria Sports, as well as, other genuinely concerned stakeholders in the state of Nigeria sports are not oblivious of the shenanigans and ploys to completely hijack the constitutional duties of the NBBF, using all kinds of methods and guerilla styles. 

“However, Nigerians shall stand up and fight against this attempt to mortgage the future fortunes of Nigerian youths and the game of basketball in Nigeria. Without a doubt, this group of people are in concert with some self-serving officials of sports ministry. 

“Is it not funny that the said committee are proposing to fund the activities of the national teams through sponsorships and investors? Are these not what Musa Kida has been doing personally and selflessly for the national teams in over 5 years on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria? Kida’s gestures and supports were not for pecuniary gains. But can we say that about this group of people, who ostensibly, are coming take advantage of the induced crisis rocking the NBBF?”, Thompson queried. 

He went on to advise the sports minister, not to fall for the selfish intentions of any group of persons. Adding that it is not too late for the Ministry to recind the decision to ban Nigeria from international basketball, which has since become unpopular and inimical to the development of basketball in Nigeria. 

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