Basketball

NBBF Welcomes Minister of Sports To Office With Afrobasket Trophy

Published

6 years ago

August 24, 2019

NBBF Welcomes Minister of Sports To Office With Afrobasket Trophy

The newly appointed Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare was on Friday was welcomed to the office with 2019 Afrobasket trophy courtesy of Nigeria’s D’Tigress of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF.

Just last week the D’Tigress break barriers and set new records in Basketball by winning FIBA Afrobasket trophy back to back after a fierce battle with the host nation even in the presence of over 20,000 home crowd in faraway Senegal.

While receiving the giant trophy, Minister of youth and sports Mr. Dare applauds the team for the deserve victory saying they indeed exhibit the character of the tiger by defeating the host nation.

According to him, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari will continue to give the D’Tigress the support it needs both financially and otherwise.

“President followed the games and very soon, once we have a confirmed date, D’Tigress will be in Abuja and I will lead them to present the cup to President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Basketball has come to stay in this country. You serve as an ambassador for other girls and for the youth that we want to develop. I want to thank you for this victory. Nigerians want to thank you for this victory.”

He, however, challenged the NBBF board and the D’Tigress to increase their hard work adding that the result of hard work is more hard work.

Speaking earlier, the elated NBBF President, Engr Musa Kida described the occasion as a significant one which marks the beginning of many things to come for the new minister while in office.

“We are glad as a federation that we are the first to welcome the new minister to the office with a trophy which we won in Senegal. This is not just another event for us as NBBF; it is a landmark achievement as we have been presented with such a golden opportunity to interface personally with the Minister.”

Kida said at a crucial time like this with many international events to prosecute, it was imperative for the NBBF board to visit the minister and have firsthand information about what is happening within the federation.

“Our male team is in China and we all know how they got there. The women are the current African Champions. So, we needed to see the Minister and tell him about our plight. We are quite hopeful about the meeting we had with the Minister that things can only get better.”

Meanwhile, the duo of D’Tigress players, Sarah Imovbioh and Kunaiyi Pallas Akpannah who represented the team were present.

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Basketball

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

Published

15 hours 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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