Basketball

Funds threaten D’Tigers World Cup campaign

Published

7 years ago

August 17, 2019

D’Tigers’ earlier scheduled trip to China in continuation of their preparation for the FIBA World Cup may have suffered a setback over paucity of funds as the Nigeria Basketball Federation continues struggling to make funds available.

This much was made known to journalists at the weekend by the General Manager of the team, Musa Adamu when asked about the team’s plan for the FIBA 2019 World Cup in China.

According to him, I cannot tell you exactly when the team is leaving for China, the basketball federation has been doing a lot for this team. We started this elimination over a year ago and now going to two years and the federation has been funding the trips for each window.

“Each window, we had to bring players, fly them down, accommodate them and also pay insurance and all these things have been done singlehandedly by the federation with a promise from the ministry to support us, but we are still expecting and hoping that they will do so before we leave for China,” Adamu continued.

The former Nigerian international revealed that despite plans to adequately prepare the team for the apex global sports fiesta, the unavailability of funds might just be the clog in the wheel of the team’s preparation.

“The team is here in Nigeria, so we hope that they will act because we don’t know when we will leave. There are no funds available for now. The federation is looking up to the Ministry with the hope that the funds will be released for us to leave”

He took time out to appreciate the Engr. Musa Kida led NBBF board for their selfless sacrifice throughout the qualifiers as he appealed to the President, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari to intervene and save the country from global embarrassment.

“I wish to appreciate the federation, the President, Engr Musa Kida and the board. They have been doing so much for this team and basketball and I think it’s time for government to step in and assist us.”

Adamu revealed that the current players in camp are talented, motivated and ready to represent Nigeria well, but funding has been a major issue.

“I will like to use the forum to call on the President, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari to turn his eyes a little bit to the D’Tigers because they are also a national team. We are expecting support from him to release funds for our team to be able to participate in this World Cup.”

Adamu regrettably admitted that the team which became the first country in the world to qualify may end up not participating at the World Cup starting on the 29th of August if funds are not released on time by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

“We have come a long way. We have a very good, ambitious and motivated team. We really hope that the President will try to help his children, his people and his own team to be able to participate in this World Cup through the sports ministry obviously”.

Share on Facebook

Basketball

Respect NBBF Constitution, Install New Board to Revive Basketball — Stakeholders

Published

3 months ago

February 24, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Fresh concerns have emerged over alleged procedural breaches in the leadership of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), as seven members of the outgoing board insist that constitutional processes must be strictly followed to grow thw game and prevent a deepening crisis in Nigerian basketball.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the board members declared that the tenure of the current board officially expired on January 31, 2026, and maintained that no member approved any extension beyond that date.

They called for the immediate activation of constitutional provisions to convene an elective congress that will usher in a new and inclusive board.

The stakeholders in attendance included International Representative Col. Sam Ahmadu (Rtd); Prof. Florence Adeyanju (NAWIS representative); Olumide Bamiduro (representing NAPHERD SD, replacing Yakashai who resigned to join the Boxing Federation); North-East Representative Adamu Deshi; Technical Representative Scot Nnaji; South-West Representative Olumide Oyedeji; and Suraj Yusuf representing the North-West.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Col. Ahmadu said the briefing was necessary to address what he described as widespread misinformation surrounding the federation’s leadership status.

“We decided to hold this press briefing because there is so much information out there — some factual and some concocted,” he said. “This is not a campaign for anyone but an effort by members of the outgoing board to set the record straight.”

He explained that the NBBF constitution clearly provides that a board’s tenure begins immediately after members are sworn in following an elective congress. Since the last election was conducted on January 31, 2022, in Edo State, he argued that the four-year tenure ended on January 31, 2026.

According to him, there is no constitutional requirement for any additional inauguration by a supervising authority to validate the commencement of tenure.

“Inauguration does not override the Constitution as the determinant of tenure commencement,” Ahmadu stated.

He further disclosed that the minutes and communiqué of the 2022 elective congress were duly transmitted to FIBA and the Federal Ministry of Sports, describing the records as incontrovertible.
Beyond the tenure issue, the stakeholders raised serious governance concerns.

Col Ahmadu alleged that since 2022, Congress — recognised by the constitution as the supreme authority of the federation — has not been convened as required.

He stated that Congress is mandated to meet at least once annually, yet no such meetings have taken place within that period. He added that the last board meeting was held in 2024.

The group also pointed to what they described as administrative lapses, including the alleged absence of an official federation bank account and claims of conflict of interest linked to a kit sponsorship arrangement involving the former president and the head of the marketing committee.
Additionally, they alleged that two board members — Technical Representative Scot Nnaji and Players’ Representative Stanley Gumut — were removed from the board under questionable circumstances.

They further questioned the increasing reliance on the Emergency Committee, stressing that the constitution does not empower it to replace the Board.
According to them, any decisions taken by the Emergency Committee must be ratified by the full Board which, they claim, has not met in over a year.

The stakeholders insisted that strict obedience to the NBBF statutes and the immediate constitution of a new board would “wipe the tears of basketball” and restore confidence among players, officials, sponsors, and stakeholders.

They urged relevant authorities to act swiftly to convene an elective congress and ensure a transparent process open to all qualified aspirants, warning that failure to follow constitutional procedures could further destabilise the sport.

However, the unfolding situation reflects mounting pressure within the basketball community for reforms anchored on transparency, inclusiveness, and strict respect for constitutional order to safeguard the future of Nigerian basketball

Share on Facebook