Basketball
Group Laments FIBA Ban on Nigeria From BAL
By Joel Ajayi
Friends of Nigeria Sports (FNS) has expressed its anger and disappointment over the decision of FIBA to ban Nigeria’s representative, Rivers Hoopers from participating in the Basketball Africa League, slated to dunk off in March, this year, across major cities in Africa.
FIBA in a letter signed by the Secretary and Regional Director, Biles Alphonse and addressed to Engr. Musa Kida in his capacity as NBBF president, dated 14th January 2022, the Basketball body said it has decided not to retain the Nigeria Rivers Hoppers Club to participate in the final phase of BAL
This he said is due to the inability of NBBF to confirm to it that it is organizing its own program. They said that FIBA Africa cannot authorize the participation of a Nigerian club in the Basketball Africa League this year.
Reacting to this ban, the spokesperson for FNS, Asiwaju Akeem Busari, described it as unfortunate and demoralising.
” It is unfortunate and highly regrettable that FIBA has slammed its hammer on Nigeria, due to the stubbornness of the sports ministry to disrespect the directives of FIBA.
” Remember, we (FNS), severally warned against the actions and inactions of the sports ministry, which has been premised on the selfish agendas of some officials of the ministry.
Asiwaju Akeem Busari accused the sports ministry officials of blatantly disregarding words of advice from stakeholders in the basketball community not to take over the organization of the final 8 of the male basketball league from the NBBF board which had been in charge of the the game.
Meanwhile Rivers Hoopers will be meeting this week to consider what step to taken in order to participate in the competition.
The ban has dealth a devastating blow to the players and officials who were expected to resume training for the biggest continental club competition.
Continuing, he said, “Nigerians are praying and hoping the sports Ministry will allow the federation to conduct its election as agreed by NBBF congress.
“There are indications that the male and female national teams D’ Tigers and D’Tigress could be banned by FIBA if the elections did not hold on or before January 30, 2022.
However, we are hoping that the Sports ministry listen to the voice of the people by allowing the NBBF hold its election.
Basketball
Fresh Ideas, Science Needed to Revitalise Basketball —ABA
Cyril Ogar
President/Founder, Amateur Basketball Academies, ABA, Aliyu Lucky Abubakar has called for a scientific and pragmatic approach to rediscovering the game of basketball in the North East.
The former player of many teams in Nigeria stated this on Saturday during training of coaches in Yola, Adamawa State.
Aliyu said the training is aimed to arm Coaches so they can, in turn, reach the children, especially those that ABA may not. The Deputy Comptroller in Nigeria Customs Service decried non-challant attitudes of the stakeholders in the development of basketball in the North East.
” Basketball is fading in the North East, and we at ABA will not allow it to die.”
“Adamawa was once a force in the game of basketball but had fallen behind. Our plan is to discover talent through coaching training, nurture it, and carry it from state level to the national team, and eventually, the global stage.” The basketball administrator said.
In his keynote message to the participants, which centered on the theme, “HOPE,” Harnessing opportunity, Organising for excellence, Promoting players’ development, and Empowering the next generation, Aliyu said, is far more than a drill instructors.
” Every child you see on a basketball court has a dream, and it is our job as a coach to spot it early and give it somewhere to go.” He concluded.
In his lecture titled, ” Who is a Coach”, Emmanuel Odah, the head Coach, FCT Basketball and former National Juniors team, described a coach as a committed, organised, affectionate, caring and humble.
” Commitment is consistency, and consistency is mother of progress; humility comes first because a coach who can not control himself can never control a game,” Odah insisted.
Other instructors at the training include ABA head of technical, Coach Adeka Daudu, as well as Coach Alexander Anyebe Ujoh, who spoke about the relationship between a coach and child in his care.
Coaches at the training commended ABA for its boldness to give hopes to basketball coaches all over the country. They promised that lessons learned would reshape and reset their mind on the job. They said the training will help them in understanding their role not only as an instructor but also grooming the children for a better future.
Among guests at the event include FCT Acting Director of Sports, Mr. Iyiola Ogundele and Bayelsa Veteran Basketball administrator, Coach Tony
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