Basketball

NBBF assures sponsors of maximum mileage

Published

6 years ago

September 15, 2019

…meets Andre Ighoudala

In the light of the continued successes of its National Teams on the international scene, the Nigeria Basketball Federation has assured prospective sponsors of media mileage and global business exposure.

The federation, through its Vice President, Babatunde Ogunade said this on Friday during a meeting with Afro-American basketball superstar, Andre Ighoudala who is on an official trip to Nigeria.

According to Ogunade, the Nigeria Basketball Federation is leaving no stone unturned in boosting its financial capacity as relying on government as its sole financier is not sustainable in the long term.

Ogunade who in the company of fellow board members, Felix Awogu and Oni Afolabi said it was high time sponsors identified basketball as one of the key federations capable of positively exposing their brands to the global market.

“Since we took over in 2017, we have continued to enjoy unimaginable successes on the global stage. D’Tigress have won two Afrobasket titles, gotten to the quarter final of the World Cup while the men won silver medal at the 2017 Afrobasket, first country in the world to qualify for the World Cup as well as finishing as the best African team at the just concluded World Cup to pick the 2020 Olympics ticket.”

“The 3×3 teams have conquered Africa, been to the World Cup and are a strong force to reckon with. Today, I can boldly say basketball is one of the fastest growing sports in Nigeria.”

Sequel to the new found status of basketball on the global stage, the NBBF believes private investors have a lot to gain in terms of media exposure if they partner with the federation.

“All eyes are on our national teams while the global media buzz around the teams have continued to increase. Investors, partners and sponsors have a lot to gain.”

“We have so many grassroots programs, Men’s Divisions one and two, the Zenith Women League and the Men’s Premier League that are in need of attention.”, Ogunade said.

In his response, Ighoudala who has won three NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors as well as the 2010 FIBA World Championship and the 2012 Summer Olympics titles with USA praised the performance of the D’Tigers at the World Cup.

“Congratulations on the qualification for the Olympics. I monitored the performance of the team in China and I was impressed by this amazing team. I also heard about the women’s team which also won the 2019 title. These achievements are commendable.”

Currently on the books of Memphis Grizzlies, the Silicon Valley investor and Jumia Nigeria, Ighoudala assured the federation that he will look at possible ways to partner the federation in growing basketball in Nigeria.

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Basketball

Igoche Mark, Adeniyi Others Lead Stakeholders in Applauding Flyers’ Championship Feat, Set Focus on Making BAL History

Published

1 week ago

December 9, 2025

The Gleamer

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:

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