Sports
NBBF Promises Stakeholders Better 2019
The Nigeria Basketball Federation has promised stakeholders of another rollercoaster ride in 2019 as the federation gets ready to hit the ground running.
Despite landmark achievements in 2018 the NBBF believes that 2019 would be better.
According to the President, Musa Kida, “2018 achievements were not accidental but products of serious preparations and efforts of all the board members. Despite the challenges and unnecessary distractions, 2019 promises to be better.”
Kida thanked the President Muhammadu Buhari, the Honorable Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung for providing a level playing field for all sports federations to thrive in the year under review.
The board also appreciated all corporate sponsors and members of the media for their amazing support in 2018, while asking for more collaboration in the new year.
Reminiscing on the NBBF’s achievements in 2018, Kida said that it has never been this good.
Nigeria, he said, hosted the World Cup qualifiers twice in Lagos as D’Tigers under Coach Alex Nwora recorded 9 match unbeaten streak to become the first country in the world to book a World Cup ticket in China.
Coach Otis Hughley led D’Tigress to the quarter final of the World Cup, while also becoming the first African country to ever win more than one game in the same tournament and the first country in Africa to ever get to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup.
“On the home front, for the first time in the history of Nigerian grassroots basketball, we have started repositioning the domestic league with the Total sponsored Division 1 and 2 expanded under a new format with over 150 teams participating. The Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League was also rejuvenated. First Bank, who won the 2018 league finished 3rd in the FIBA Africa Women’s Club Championship in Maputo, Mozambique,” Kida said.
Rivers Hoopers of Port Harcourt and Civil Defenders of Abuja both emerged Nigeria’s continental representatives before booking their place in the inaugural FIBA Afro League starting 2019.
The federation therefore promised that efforts would be intensified at the home front to make the domestic league marketable, rewarding and conducive for players, coaches and team owners.
“2019 is already here and we can’t just wait to tipoff. We have the All Africa Games, the Afrobasket for men and women, U-16 boys and girls and then the big one which is the World Cup. The time to start preparation is now as we urge all to join hands with us on this memorable journey, while looking forward to focusing on grassroots development and making sure the Nigerian flag flies high outside her shores,” Kida concluded.
Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi began his 2026 season with victory at the Orlen Cup in ?ód?, producing a dominant 20.82m throw to win the men’s shot put at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver meeting in Poland, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Africa record holder finished ahead of Romania’s Andrei Toader, who placed second with 20.55m, while Serbia’s Armin Sinan?evi? took third on 19.93m.
Poland’s Szymon Mazur, the best-placed home athlete, finished fourth with 19.69m, with Italy’s Nick Ponzio completing the top five on 19.58m.
The rest of the field was headed by Piotr Go?dziewicz (18.02m), Jakub Korejba (17.55m), Wojciech Marok (17.48m), Damian Rodziak (17.23m) and Ukraine’s Maksym Lebediuk (15.75m).
Enekwechi’s winning mark gave him a clear margin over the field and underlined his status as one of world’s leading throwers, as he laid down an early marker for the new campaign in his traditional season-opening competition.
The result also marked an improvement shift in his Orlen Cup history. This was his third consecutive appearance at the meeting and his third straight season opener with the event, having previously finished second in 2024 with 21.14m and again in 2025 with 20.88m.
On this occasion, he converted consistency into victory, finally standing on the top step of the podium in ?ód?.
Enekwechi is the reigning two-time African champion in the shot put, a silver medallist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and a two-time African Games champion, having won titles in 2019 and 2023.
His performance in Poland continues a career trajectory that has established him as Nigeria’s leading figure in the event and one of the continent’s most reliable performers on the global circuit.
The women’s competition at the meeting was won by Poland’s Zuzanna Ma?lana.
With the 2026 season now under way, Enekwechi’s opening victory at the Orlen Cup sets an early tone for the year ahead, as he builds momentum towards major continental and international championships.
The next edition of the Orlen Cup is scheduled to take place in ?ód? in February 2027.
Tanzanian giants Simba have opened discussions over a potential move for Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali as they look to reinforce their squad following an injury to first-choice shot-stopper Moussa Camara, Tidesports source reports.
The 29-year-old, who plays for South Africa Premiership side Chippa United, is in the final six months of his contract and is eligible to enter pre-contract negotiations with foreign clubs.
Foot Africa reported that Simba are exploring the possibility of bringing Nwabali to Dar es Salaam either during the current window or on a free transfer at the end of the season, although no agreement has been reached.
“Sources have indicated that Simba are in active talks with the player’s camp in a bid to lure him to Dar es Salaam in the ongoing window or on a free transfer – but no agreement reached,” Foot Africa reported.
Simba’s interest has been accelerated by Camara’s knee injury, which prompted the club to move quickly to sign Mahamadou Tanja Kassila from Niger’s AS FAN.
The club are reportedly considering deregistering Camara to accommodate the new foreign signing, a situation that has frustrated the Guinea international, who has asked for the remaining six months of his contract to be terminated.
In their search for a longer-term solution, Simba identified Nwabali as a prime target, although formal negotiations with his club have yet to begin.
“Simba identified Nwabali as the ideal successor to Camara, but the club is yet to submit a formal bid to Chippa United, who are open to offers,” Foot Africa added.
Nwabali’s profile has continued to rise following his performances for Nigeria, most notably at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he kept four clean sheets in seven matches as the Super Eagles secured a bronze medal.
Oyo State is set to return to the continental football spotlight as it prepares to host Nigeria’s Falconets in a crucial 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying match against Senegal’s Lioness of Teranga.
The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan. The Oyo State Government said the state was selected for the fixture following its successful hosting of a previous Falconets’ qualifier, further underlining its growing profile as a destination for international sporting events.
In a statement on Monday Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, confirmed that preparations were in top gear to ensure a hitch-free match. She said the choice of Oyo State as host was a reflection of confidence in the state’s sporting infrastructure, organisational competence and security architecture.
She recalled the emphatic victory recorded by the Falconets against Rwanda at the same venue last year, describing the match as a testament to the state’s readiness to stage major sporting events.
“The successful hosting of the Falconets against Rwanda showcased Oyo State’s world-class facilities and our capacity to organise international fixtures that meet global standards,” Adegoke said. “The Lekan Salami Stadium has continued to serve as a fortress for our national teams, and we are confident the Falconets will once again make the nation proud.”
Adegoke also disclosed that the Falconets are expected to arrive in Ibadan today ahead of the qualifier, to allow ample time for acclimatisation and final preparations. She added that the team would enjoy full logistical support from the state throughout their stay.
The Falconets, who reached the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup in Japan 14 years ago, will go into the last round of the qualifying series if they win this encounter, to confront the winner of the Guinea-Bissau/Malawi fixture, for one of Africa’s four tickets at the final tournament.
The 12th edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals will be staged in Poland, from September 5 to 27, 2026.
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