Basketball

Afrobasketball Trophy A befitting Nigeria Independence Day Gift- Sports Minister

Published

4 years ago

September 27, 2021

Joel Ajayi
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare said the victory of the national senior women basketball team D’Tigress at the Afrobasketball Championship in Cameroon is a worthy Independence Day gift to the country.

Nigeria’s D’Tigress beat Mali on Sunday to emerge African Champions for the third consecutive time, affirming their position as the African queens of the court.

While hosting the team to an impressive reception inside the VIP Lounge of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Monday afternoon, the Sports Minister appreciated and congratulated them and the entire Nigeria Basketball Federation(NBBF)family under the leadership of Engineer Musa Kida for their feat.

“You have their story, you have their history and you have their journey so far,” Sunday Dare opened up to the gathering, “The journey actually took them to the Olympics. Even after the Olympics. The ladies dusted themselves up and they showed that fire in Cameroon.

“I want to congratulate them for winning the Afrobasketball trophy and that is gold, you can see the Golden Cup here for third consecutive time.

“They have shown a rare dominance, the dominance of the women basketball terrain by D’Tigress from the African continent, I can say it’s now undisputable. We have seen how they are also blending the home based players with the foreign players that is the DNA of our Sports as a country whether it is basketball or football, that blend always works for us.

“I want to thank each and every player, those that went to the Olympics, those that went to Senegal and those that went to Cameroon, that entire team has always done this country proud and I know that they have more victories ahead of them.

“I also thank them for putting Nigeria on the global map of basketball, the same goes to D’Tigers. I can now say that Nigeria is truly a basketball nation.

“We are happy that this is also a benefitting present to Mr President Muhammadu Buhari and the entire country as we are about to celebrate the 61st Independence Day Anniversary.” Dare concluded.

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Basketball

Nigeria @ 65: Igoche Mark Pays Homage to Nigerian Athletes for Contributions

Published

5 days ago

October 1, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence anniversary on Wednesday October 1, Basketball Promoter and Initiator of Mark D’ Ball Basketball Championship, Mr. Igoche Mark, has commended the country’s athletes for their outstanding contributions.

In a heartfelt message, Mr. Mark praised active and retired athletes for consistently putting Nigeria on the global map through their dedication, hard work, and achievements. “Your dedication, hard work, and achievements have not only brought us pride but have also inspired a generation of Nigerians,” he stated.

The Sports Administrator urged the National Sports Commission to establish a platform to celebrate these athletes and recognize their invaluable contributions to Nigerian sports. He emphasized the need to honour their legacy and provide a framework for their continued involvement in sports after retirement.

To support athletes in transition, Mr. Mark recommended that “retirement plans be implemented to ensure a seamless transition into life after sports. This would enable athletes to plan for their future and maximize their post-athletic careers.”

Furthermore, he proposed a welfare package for retired athletes, including access to healthcare, education, and economic empowerment programs. “By doing so, we can show our appreciation for their service and ensure that they are taken care of,” Mr. Mark added.

As Nigeria celebrates its 65th Independence anniversary on October 1, with the theme “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” Mr. Mark’s sentiments echo the sentiments of many Nigerians who believe in the importance of recognizing and supporting the country’s athletes.

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