Basketball

2021 Afrobasket: D’Tiger Will Give The Best-Engr Kida

Published

4 years ago

August 25, 2021

….Coach Brown Showers encomioum on Kida

As Nigeria’s Senior Men Basketball team has perfected its plan to play Mali in their first game in the 2021 Afrobasket tournament in Kigali, Rwanda, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Nigeria Basketball Federation NBBF, Engr. Musa Kida, has assured that D’Tiger will give its best to achieve the ultimate at the end of the tournament.

Kida who gave the assurance in Kigali, Rwanda said, the Federation is working hard to ensure it builds on the 2017 Afrobasketball success.

According to him, “we are going to give our best, we are working hard to ensure we build on what we have achieved in the past year.

“As for Afrobasketball tournament, we have put everything in place and we are ready for the games” he said.

Meanwhile, the D’Tigers Coach, Mike Brown, has showered encomioum on the NBBF boss, Ahmadu Musa Kida for his physical and financial support to enable basketball strive in the country.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, ahead of the 2020 Afrobasket opener against Mali on Wednesday , Coach Brown showered heap of praises on the efforts of Engr Kida who has been working day and night, and even investing his resources towards the growth and development of game in the country.

Brown however assured that his players will are ready for the competition.

According to him, “Kida has put in a lot of resources, and time into the Basketball teams. He has keyed into our programs and very determined to see the team succeed” .

“My relationship with the NBBF has been fantastic, they are very passionate people who are determined to see Basketball succeed

” We are organizing the programs from up to down, and everyone is keying to it.”

However, the number one ranked team in Africa will also face Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire in group C in a quest to improve on the silver table in their second and third appearances respectively.

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Basketball

Igoche Mark, Adeniyi Others Lead Stakeholders in Applauding Flyers’ Championship Feat, Set Focus on Making BAL History

Published

2 months ago

December 9, 2025

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi
It was an evening of celebration, pride, and renewed optimism as Nigeria’s newest basketball sensation, Mark Town Flyers, received a special reception in Abuja on Monday in honour of their stunning emergence as 2025 NBBF Champions—a feat many never saw coming.

Speaking at the event, basketball development advocate Igoche Mark described the Flyers’ victory as “history-making,” applauding their resilience and determination in overcoming overwhelming odds.

“They have done something that has never been done before. Many didn’t expect them to come this far, but they proved everyone wrong,” he said.

“I have faith in them. By the time they get to the BAL, they will make Nigeria proud and set the best record we’ve ever had.”

Mark also restated the urgent need to revive Nigeria’s traditional league structure—one that once featured home-and-away fixtures, a full-season calendar, and clear progression to the playoffs.

“We’re not asking for the moon. We only want what we used to have. Our league once ran for months with home and away games before the Final Eight. Bringing that system back is key to growing basketball in Nigeria,” he added.

“This Story Is Special”—Mark on Flyers’ RiseReflecting further, Mark said the team’s rise is proof of Nigeria’s abundant talent and the remarkable potential of young players when provided with adequate support.

“These boys came together barely a year ago and have achieved what many established teams could not. Beating the defending champions on their home court shows true grit and promise,” he noted.

Achii: “The Journey Was Hard, But the Vision Was Clear” Owner of Mark Town Flyers, Akerannan Manusseh Achii, shared the emotional and challenging journey that transformed the team—formerly Lagos Legends—into national champions.

“It was a tedious journey. I bought the team just two and a half weeks before the league started. Getting players, funding, logistics—everything was tough. But I’m grateful to God and the players,” he said.

Achii revealed that his vision took shape last year in Kigali during the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Finals.

“We were watching the BAL, and I said I wanted to be here. I didn’t even have a team then. But this year I got the opportunity, we fought hard, and now we are heading to BAL. It feels surreal,” he stated.

Preparing for BAL: “We’re Ready and Open to Sponsorships”

With BAL qualification secured, Achii highlighted that the next phase is preparation and strategic partnerships.

“We want to go all the way. We are open to sponsorships, collaborations—anything that can help this team. At this stage, we’re representing not just a state, but Nigeria,” he emphasized.

Mark echoed the need for collective support from the private sector, stakeholders, and institutions.

“Benue State Government is already doing its part. But we all need to contribute. With joint support, this team will go far in the BAL,” he said.

General Manager of NTA 24 Sports, Kayode Adeniyi, commended the team’s doggedness, saying their exceptional drive distinguished them throughout the season.

He reflected on the excitement and glamour basketball once enjoyed in Nigeria, lamenting how administrative crises dimmed the sport’s appeal. He appealed to all stakeholders to revive the game for the benefit of the nation.

“I am appealing to Nigerians and everyone interested in basketball to do everything within their reach to bring the Game back to life in this country,” he urged.

In his welcome address, respected basketball advocate Kingsley Aigbonoga emphasized that true, sustainable development of the sport hinges on deliberate investment in youth.A Night of Unity and Hope.

The event brought together former and current basketball players, journalists, administrators, friends, and well-wishers—both young and old—showing the deep-rooted passion many still hold for the sport.

From a last-minute team acquisition to becoming national champions in less than a year, Mark Town Flyers have rewritten Nigerian basketball history. As their preparation for the BAL intensifies, one message echoing across the hall remained clear:

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