Sports
Resolve Leadership Crisis In NBBF, Players Urge Minister
Basketball players in the country have told the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, to urgently resolve the leadership crisis rocking the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).
Tidesports source gathered that the players, who stormed the office of the Sports Minister during the week in Abuja to register their displeasure, frowned at the manner Dare was handling the leadership impasse rocking the federation.
Speaking with journalists, former NBA players and board members under the Engr Musa Kida-led board, Ejike Ugboaja, urged the Sports Minister to address the NBBF leadership crises without sentiment.
“The two NBBF elections were concluded two weeks ago, and we do not know the stand of the minister. I served under the Musa Kida’s board, and I have played the game for more than twelve years. We have never experienced this type of problem before. Except the minister has been compromised, I think by today, we ought to have our president and not the ministry running the show.
“We want the minister to come out and tell us what is going on. We want him to address us as the father of all sports in the country. He should tell us his position. Without the players, there is no basketball,” Ugboaja said.
Also speaking, the Players Representative on the board of the Igoche Mark-led NBBF, Stanely Gumut, said that basketball players, home and abroad, had thrown their weight behind Mr Igoche Mark, insisting that the players have vowed not to repeat the mistake made four years ago.
“We do not want to repeat the mistake we made four years ago. Such wasted time is what we do not want to repeat again. All our fight is about players’ welfare. The truth of the matter is that we (the players) have thrown our weight behind Mr. Igoche Mark. Unfortunately, the ministry is not saying anything about it.
We, the players, are the pioneers of this game, and we do not want to play basketball for free anymore. The minister is supposed to come out and talk to us as a father. But the man has been shying away from talking to us, and his action is becoming worrisome to us,” Gumut stated.
Musa Kida stated that he has nothing to say yet on the NBBF Presidency and other issues emanating from any factional group.
“I am still waiting for the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, to make his pronouncement on the NBBF election before I can take any step.”
The Nigeria Football Federation has defended the recent quarter-finals draw for the 2025 President Federation Cup, saying it was conducted in line with best global practices.
A member of the NFF Executive Committee Board, George Aluo, stated that criticism over venues for the quarterfinals was unfortunate.
Going by the fixtures released on Saturday by the football body, Abakaliki FC will take on Nasarawa United in Benin, Wikki Tourists will clash with Ikorodu City in Bwari, Abuja, Akwa United and Kwara United will fight it out in Enugu, just as Area 3, Abuja, will host the encounter between Rangers International and Plateau United. All matches are scheduled for May 3rd for the emergence of semifinalists in a leg affair.
However, there have been criticisms over the Ikorodu United vs Wikki Tourist tie billed for Abuja, with a section of the press saying the venue is skewed in favour of the Bauchi team.
Aluo, also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), said: “Some of our media men need better education, and newsmen should not be like the fans out there on the streets. In the English FA Cup, it is always a one-legged pairing that can see a club like Arsenal host Manchester United at home”.
A new contract that will see Act Sports Di Oyibo Limited managing the career of Nigerian teqball specialist, Victor Oyemade, has been signed in Lagos.
The deal gives exclusive rights to Act Sports to manage, and exercise power of attorney over issues relating to the player’s welfare as it concerns his transactions, engagement for professional, promotional, sponsorships, endorsements, and exhibition purposes.
In signing the document, both parties also agreed that proper safeguards would be put in place to protect and promote the player’s interest at all times.
Director of Act Sports, Di Oyibo Limited, Pastor Samuel Robinson Oyibo, excited about the deal, said it would benefit both parties in the area of spreading the message of the sport, as well as laying a firm foundation for his new client’s future.
“Teqball is one of the world’s fastest-growing ball sports, and Victor Oyemade is the face of the sport here in Nigeria and Africa. That is why we are excited about this partnership that gives Act Sports official authorisation to manage his career, just as it will lay the foundation for its rapid growth in our country,” Pastor Oyibo said.
Oyemade was no less excited about the deal, saying it would help his growth in the sport.
Coaches of Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 women’s handball teams have released their final lists of 14 players ahead of the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase, which will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that commenced yesterday to end 24th of this month.
The two teams have been training at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos, for close to two weeks and departed for the competition on Thursday.
Coach John Uzor of the national U-18 team has included Omole Joy of Defender Babes and her sister Omole Shola alongside Ojie Princess of Funad Academy alongside right back Faisat Balogun in the mix while Success Duru, Chetachi Ngaodurubie of COAS Babes and Sharon Okonkwo make the cut, amongst other players.
In the U-20 team, Coach Shittu Agboola has largely stuck with the players he has been grooming since their U-18 days. The team is led by Captain Chidera Ogbusimba alongside, her Rima Queens teammates the Samuel Sisters, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters.
Israel-based Rahima Bello, Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and Esther Mathew, who is also based in Benin Republic, keep their places.
Coach Shittu believes his team will make Nigeria proud just as they did previously at the U-18 level.
“I am really upset that Taiwo Babatunde will not be part of the team for this competition as her school, Yaba College of Technology, insisted that they will not release her for national service because of examinations.
“We did everything humanly possible to secure her release and they didn’t care that it is a national service for the interest of Nigeria and the growth of sports. We have other players who are also students and they got a release from their schools but for no tangible reason, Yabatech refused to release Taiwo despite the fact that we did everything possible to secure her release. It’s sad and I hope the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will work in tandem so that schools will support our goal in making Nigeria proud in sporting events”.