Sports
Bakare Resigns As NBBF Director
The Technical Director of
the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Ayo Bakare has announced his resignation from the federation.
“After due consideration of my personal commitments at this time, I have decided to withdraw from my role as the Technical Director of the Nigeria Basketball Federation,’’ Bakare told newsmen in Lagos.
He said the decision was not sudden, but was made after a lot of consideration, discussion and consultation with the federation.
“I have the highest personal and professional regard for the NBBF President Tijjani Umar and his administration and fully endorse and support their programmes.
“I remain irrevocably committed to the progress of Nigerian basketball and will continue to support and serve Nigerian basketball as I have dome in these past 25 or more years.
“I remain equally committed to the success of this current NBBF administration,’’ he said, pledging his continuous support regardless of whether he was “ in an active or reduced role’’.
“I urge all to continue to support the NBBF for the uplifting of Nigeria basketball,’’ Bakare said.
Bakare had served as a coach of the senior national team, D’Tigers in the past.
He was in charge of D’Tigers when the team qualified for its first World Championship in Greece in 2008.
The coach also took the national team to the last summer Olympic Games held in London.
Bakare, who owns and coaches the Ebun Comets Basketball Club of Lagos; one of the oldest clubs in Nigeria’s National Basketball League, also led Nigeria to several African Championships.
In the 1997 African Championship, Nigeria’s national team, under tutelage of Bakare, finished second to host Senegal.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
-
Opinion3 days ago184 Days of the Locust in Rivers State
-
News3 days agoFG moves to avert fuel supply crisis, promises stability
-
News21 hours ago
Independence Anniversary: Nigeria Is A Failed Grandfather – Monarch
-
City Crime3 days agoIndustry Braces For Glut And Investor Demands
-
News3 days ago“PenCom Raises Capital Requirement For PFAs To N20b …Sets December 2026 Deadline
-
Niger Delta21 hours ago
Police Arrest Two Cultists, Recover Weapons In A’Ibom
-
Sports3 days agoEzeji Urge NFF To Investigate Igenewari George’s death
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
D’Gov Hails Amananaowei-Elect, Ogboloma Chiefs Council …Wants Accountability, Transparency In Traditional Administration