Basketball

Basketball Stakeholders Endorse Igoche Mark as NBBF President

Published

5 years ago

January 19, 2022

Basketball Stakeholders at the ongoing Mark D Ball Championships have
overwhelmingly endorsed the candidacy of Igoche Mark for the Presidency of the upcoming Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).

Igoche Mark is the initiator of Mark D Ball Basketball Championship, and until recently was Proprietor of Premier League franchise, Mark Mentors Basketball Club, of Abuja.

The young Sportpreneur has been in the forefront of those championing a progressive change in the administration of Basketball in Nigeria, especially in the last four years of infighting, and underperformance of the now dissolved, Musa Kida led Board.

With his Movement; the New Face of Basketball, Mark has advocated and committed resources towards the resucitaion of the domestic component of the game, while ensuring that the welfare of the athletes at both local and international level is scaled up to meet globally acceptable standards.

A former NBBF Board Member, Ejike Ugboaja who served under Musa Kida, is one of those throwing their weight of support in favour of Igoche Mark, a graduate of Political Science from the University of Abuja, because of his evident leadership qualities, and passion for youth empowerment.

“We have a new face of Basketball and we are trying to do it ourselves now, I’m convinced Igoche Mark among other qualities, is a better team player with a sound mind and listening ear to lead a traumatised federation in dire need of healing”.

“I am in support of him 100 percent.” Ugboaja’ who served as players’ representative in the last NBBF Board, stated.

Speaking in the same vain, the Proprietor of Hotcoal Sizzlers of Abuja, Ubon Udoh, described the qualities of Igoche Mark as exceptional.

Udoh noted that aside initiating the Mark D Ball Basketball Championships for men and women, Mark has given so much to the game, and his quest to take the game to every part of the country, and have basketball played all round the year is monumental.

“Igoche Mark is a giver, a person who sacrifices for the game. He has been doing this for at least 15 years, snd doesn’t expect anything back.
He just gives, and is always happy seeing youngsters given the platform to grow, and express themselved.

According to Udoh, for the game to grow in Nigeria, the structures and policies must first be right, and those lacking components are the additions Mark wants to bring on and positively influence the fortunes of Basketball, in the country.

” the honest truth is that we need such person in leadership, not just in Basketball but all sphares of the country.” Udoh said.

Another Stakeholder, and Chairman of the Kaduna State Basketball Association, Pastor Scambo Morrison pointed out that with the feat achieved by Igoche Mark, the Basketball family in Nigeria needs not to look elsewhere for a leader.

“Without any gainsaying, he is an embodiment of a breathe of fresh air; good innovations, creativity, good ambience and good atmosphere for basketball. What else do we need?” Morrison queried.

A former Basketball player, Umar Abdullahi recanted the track records of other adpiramts, and concluded thst Igoche Mark has all it takes to lead the Nigeria Basketball Federation, going forward.

“Igoche Mark is the best man for the job, I don’t think there is anyone out there that could do it better than him. We have seen what the rest can do; we just need his top notch ideas if we are serious about reshaping the fortunes of Nigeria Basketball.” Abdullahi stated.

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has fixed January 31, 2022 for the delayed election into the Board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation.

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Basketball

Fresh Ideas, Science Needed to Revitalise Basketball —ABA

Published

6 days ago

September 27, 2026

The Gleamer

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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