Basketball
Igoche Mark, Adeniyi Others Lead Stakeholders in Applauding Flyers’ Championship Feat, Set Focus on Making BAL History
By Joel Ajayi
It was an evening of celebration, pride, and renewed optimism as Nigeria’s newest basketball sensation, Mark Town Flyers, received a special reception in Abuja on Monday in honour of their stunning emergence as 2025 NBBF Champions—a feat many never saw coming.
Speaking at the event, basketball development advocate Igoche Mark described the Flyers’ victory as “history-making,” applauding their resilience and determination in overcoming overwhelming odds.
“They have done something that has never been done before. Many didn’t expect them to come this far, but they proved everyone wrong,” he said.
“I have faith in them. By the time they get to the BAL, they will make Nigeria proud and set the best record we’ve ever had.”
Mark also restated the urgent need to revive Nigeria’s traditional league structure—one that once featured home-and-away fixtures, a full-season calendar, and clear progression to the playoffs.
“We’re not asking for the moon. We only want what we used to have. Our league once ran for months with home and away games before the Final Eight. Bringing that system back is key to growing basketball in Nigeria,” he added.
“This Story Is Special”—Mark on Flyers’ RiseReflecting further, Mark said the team’s rise is proof of Nigeria’s abundant talent and the remarkable potential of young players when provided with adequate support.
“These boys came together barely a year ago and have achieved what many established teams could not. Beating the defending champions on their home court shows true grit and promise,” he noted.
Achii: “The Journey Was Hard, But the Vision Was Clear” Owner of Mark Town Flyers, Akerannan Manusseh Achii, shared the emotional and challenging journey that transformed the team—formerly Lagos Legends—into national champions.
“It was a tedious journey. I bought the team just two and a half weeks before the league started. Getting players, funding, logistics—everything was tough. But I’m grateful to God and the players,” he said.
Achii revealed that his vision took shape last year in Kigali during the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Finals.
“We were watching the BAL, and I said I wanted to be here. I didn’t even have a team then. But this year I got the opportunity, we fought hard, and now we are heading to BAL. It feels surreal,” he stated.
Preparing for BAL: “We’re Ready and Open to Sponsorships”
With BAL qualification secured, Achii highlighted that the next phase is preparation and strategic partnerships.
“We want to go all the way. We are open to sponsorships, collaborations—anything that can help this team. At this stage, we’re representing not just a state, but Nigeria,” he emphasized.
Mark echoed the need for collective support from the private sector, stakeholders, and institutions.
“Benue State Government is already doing its part. But we all need to contribute. With joint support, this team will go far in the BAL,” he said.
General Manager of NTA 24 Sports, Kayode Adeniyi, commended the team’s doggedness, saying their exceptional drive distinguished them throughout the season.
He reflected on the excitement and glamour basketball once enjoyed in Nigeria, lamenting how administrative crises dimmed the sport’s appeal. He appealed to all stakeholders to revive the game for the benefit of the nation.
“I am appealing to Nigerians and everyone interested in basketball to do everything within their reach to bring the Game back to life in this country,” he urged.
In his welcome address, respected basketball advocate Kingsley Aigbonoga emphasized that true, sustainable development of the sport hinges on deliberate investment in youth.A Night of Unity and Hope.
The event brought together former and current basketball players, journalists, administrators, friends, and well-wishers—both young and old—showing the deep-rooted passion many still hold for the sport.
From a last-minute team acquisition to becoming national champions in less than a year, Mark Town Flyers have rewritten Nigerian basketball history. As their preparation for the BAL intensifies, one message echoing across the hall remained clear:
Basketball
Respect NBBF Constitution, Install New Board to Revive Basketball — Stakeholders
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
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