Sports

BAL 2023: Igoche Mark Hails Kwara Falcons’ Performance

Published

4 years ago

March 22, 2023

The Initiator of Mark D Ball Basketball Championship, Mr.Igoche Mark has hailed Kwara Falcons’ bravery as the team crashed out of the Basket Africa League, BAL.

The Ilorin Based team and Nigerian Champions, making their continental debut but failed to win any of their five games in BAL 2023.

Mark, in a message to team, described their continental outing as superb,
magnificent and
majestic; Insisting that the team’s performance shouldn’t be about results but experience gained.

“I salute the bravery of Kwara Falcons, Nigeria’s representative at BAL.Your outing was superb,
magnificent and majestic.As a player and a lover of the game, I was thrilled by your performance, as results matter less when compared to the experience gained.” Mark stated.

The statement berated the lack of domestic basketball in Nigeria for years, which in turn has affected the team’s output.

“Sadly, the lack of domestic games in recent times played a huge role in the outcome of results at BAL.The team could have done better if the domestic league of basketball was still alive, as it would have provided that competitiveness before going to BAL. Since the last Mark D Ball Championship, no competitive game as been played which would have made the team form that synergy among the players.You did well in the continent, but we have failed in the aspect of developing the game locally.”

Continuing, Mark added “In your opening game against Rwanda Energy Group, you fought back from a 12-point deficit in the second quarter to tie 31-31 in the early third quarter.This singular action shows that we have the potentials that need to be refined.”

“The New Face of Basketball is proud of your prowess, especially taking the fighting spirit displayed in last year’s Mark D Ball Basketball Championship to the continent. This will further spur us to do more for domestic basketball in Nigeria.” Mark stated.

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Sports

Flamingos’ Historic World Cup Feat Draws Musawa’s Commendation

Published

21 hours ago

November 8, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat to claim Nigeria’s first title in the competition and make history as the first African nation to win the tournament.

Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria the lead in the 39th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku extended the advantage two minutes after the restart. Japan’s Fuki Ito reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian girls held on to secure a memorable victory.

In a congratulatory message was signed by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze on Sunday in Abuja, Musawa described the achievement as a defining moment for Nigeria and a significant milestone for African women’s football, attributing the success to the team’s resilience, talent and determination.

“This is more than a trophy. It is a story of young Nigerian girls who refused to give up, who rose after defeat, and who carried the hopes of a continent to the top of the world,” she said.

The Minister noted that the Flamingos had broken new ground by becoming the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Nigeria also became the first African country to win both the men’s and women’s U-17 World Cup titles.

The team further achieved another remarkable feat by becoming the first side in the competition’s history to lose its opening match and eventually emerge champions.

Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Poland in their opening group-stage encounter, the Flamingos recovered impressively, recording six consecutive victories to lift the trophy.

Musawa particularly praised Umejiaku, who claimed the tournament’s Golden Ball award as the best player, and Bashiru for their crucial contributions in the final.

She also commended the entire squad for their discipline, teamwork and determination throughout the competition.

According to her, the victory demonstrates the creativity, courage and excellence of Nigerian youths on the global stage.

The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to celebrating and promoting the achievements and inspiring stories of young Nigerians who continue to bring honour to the country.

“Our girls have shown the world what Nigeria is made of. We celebrate you today, and we will continue to stand with you,” she added.

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