Sports
“Nigeria’s basketball has suffered 10 months of painful distractions” – Musa Kida
Do you love basketball but are worried just where Nigerian basketball is headed to in the recent past? Well, you aren’t alone.
Musa Kida, the president of the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) expressed a grim state of basketball that Nigeria has gone through. He was expressing his opinions while he hosted the attendees of the NBBF 2018 Stakeholders Meeting at the Savannah Conference. The conference was held in Abuja on Friday at the auditorium of the National Institute Sports.
The fans of the game were just waiting to hear this as they have full support for their team and want to bet on local Nigerian basketball now with Betway online.
He spoke about the crisis regarding the leadership which was plaguing the board and hindering the growth of basketball in the nation. He said the Nigeria’s basketball had to face a painful time for the last 10 months. He said that they would have been able to do more if all the stakeholders in the game were able to express themselves in one voice. But his post and the work have not been to the mark and could have made much more progress if they didn’t have to face the distractions.
He also expressed his regrets on other facts but also said they are going to work harmoniously for the improvement of basketball.
The Other Things to Note
Nigerian basketball has had its periods of glory and fans would want the team to bounce back and perform better.
Kida, for instance, expressed his regret that the policy thrusts that were required to unite all the stakeholders together had eluded him since the time he had become the president of the board. He said the he felt personally responsible as all the stakeholders couldn’t be united under a single umbrella which would have enabled much more improvements.
How Can We Make Nigerian Basbetball Better?
The problem seems to be in the way the sports institution is being run in the country when it comes to basketball. Basketball fans deserve better and while you may think that all is lost, it may not be necessarily so.
Kida did have a few worlds of encouragement, when he said he is going to work with all the stakeholders for the betterment of the game if the sentiments are set aside. He didn’t want to make any separation between them and us- he was all in to join his hands with all the stakeholders and take back Nigeria basketball to the level it deserves.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the meeting in Abuja was attended by the NBBF stakeholders to tackle the northern structural demarcation which was called the Savannah Conference. There was a similar kind of meeting held on May 16 at Lagos which had participants coming from the Atlantic Conference. The president was ready to consider both the meetings as historic as such meetings were never held in both conferences which will now bring a greater participation from everyone.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
-
Business1 day agoNERC Amends Order on Meter Tampering, Power Bypass For Discos
-
News2 days agoPolice Arrest Nigerian, Two Others For Kidnapping In Edo
-
Business1 day agoNigeria, AFC sign $1.3 billion deal to build alumina refinery
-
Rivers1 day agoKENPOLY Rector Promises To Prioritise Students’ Welfare
-
Rivers1 day agoDon, Stakeholders Urge Environmental Laws In N’Delta
-
Business1 day agoNCDMB Signs Mgt Deal With Radisson, Edison…As Board’s 204 Rooms Hotel Open December 2026
-
Rivers1 day agoADIAFRICA Flags-off Free Eye Screening Outreach In PH
-
News2 days agoNDLEA Arrests Ex-Councillor With 40kg Skunk, Recovers Drugs In Diapers