Basketball

Basketball: Expect More Domestic Games in Nigeria-Igoche Mark

Published

3 years ago

January 16, 2022

Joel Ajayi

The Initiator of the Mark D Ball women’s Basketball Championships, Igoche Mark assured lovers of Basketball in Nigeria that plans are being perfected to have the tournament played constantly across the country, in a format replicating the NBA regular season games.

Mark said that the New Face of Basketball is a project focused on the reviving the domestic component of the slam and dunk game.

He gave this assurance at the ongoing 2022 edition of Mark D Ball women’s Basketball Championship on Saturday in Abuja where Sunshine Angels of Akure out-dunking Hotcoal Slizzers of Abuja 28-20.

Mark recanted how league and grassroots aspect of Basketball in Nigeria were deflated for a very long time and unable to bounce; and asked all stakeholders to rally round him as one United family to sustain the momentum and ensure that the inflated ball will keep on bouncing, uninterruptedly, by ensuring that games are played across the country, regularly.

It will be recalled that, Mark decleared his intention to run as President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF)

Igoche equally dwelled extensively on the deflated ball which has not been bouncing for a long time, and replaced it with an inflated ball, branded “Mark D Ball, the New Face of Basketball in Nigeria”.

He said his target is to see the ball bouncing non-stop, and the young ones play as many games as possible just like in the NBA where 82 games are played in a regular season.

“Even if we cannot play 82 games, let’s play something close. This is what the New Face of Basketball is all about” Mark stated.

Prior to the Opener, players of all the 16 participating teams, aptly dressed in fitting branded Mark D Ball tops marched unto the Court of the Multi Purpose Indoor Sports Hall in Package B, with thousands of Basketball faithful, their friends and family as well as a number of Performing Artiests cheering them, from the stands.

The young Sportpreneur was visibly pleased with the massive turn out for the opening ceremony, and praised Nigerians and corporate bodies who still believe in the game, and demonstrated such by committing resources and co-sponsoring the rejuvenated Championships.

Asked how he was able to put together such a huge event, Mark added that effective planing, and mobilizing passionate and committed young men and women to get things done, were key to the success story witnessed at the opening ceremony.

“The turn out has been massive, everybody is happy to play. Effective planning is key, we put a whole lot to planning. We have a lot of sponsors who still believe that Nigeria basketball can still rise again, we approached them and they obliged our request.”

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Basketball

Airwarrior Basketball Club Chairman, Celebrates Sallah with Journalists in Abuja

Published

2 days ago

June 7, 2025

The Gleamer

The event, filled with camaraderie and appreciation, provided an opportunity for Alhaji Solademi to acknowledge the vital role of the media in national development and the promotion of sports in Nigeria.

In a warm gesture of unity, oneness, togetherness and goodwill, the Chairman of Air Warriors Basketball Club, Abuja, Alhaji Abddulmajid Solademi, hosted a group of Basketball Journalists on Saturday at his residence in celebration of the Sallah festivities in Abuja.

The gathering that shows the importance of love, peace, and unity values which is crucial not just for the advancement of basketball, but for the overall progress of the nation.

However, the Sallah is a time to reflect on our shared humanity,” he said. “It’s a moment to support one another and to uphold the values that bring us together, rather than divide us.”

Guests at the event shared stories, enjoyed meals, Asun Rice, Oriental rice, Jollof Rice, Swallow in variety with a lot of drinks that mede them to engaged in meaningful discussions on the development of sports in Nigeria, with a special focus on grassroots basketball.

Many attendees praised Solademi for his unwavering support for the sporting community and his ongoing commitment to using sports as a powerful tool for youth empowerment and social transformation.

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