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

Nigeria @ 65: Igoche Mark Pays Homage to Nigerian Athletes for Contributions

Published

6 days ago

October 1, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence anniversary on Wednesday October 1, Basketball Promoter and Initiator of Mark D’ Ball Basketball Championship, Mr. Igoche Mark, has commended the country’s athletes for their outstanding contributions.

In a heartfelt message, Mr. Mark praised active and retired athletes for consistently putting Nigeria on the global map through their dedication, hard work, and achievements. “Your dedication, hard work, and achievements have not only brought us pride but have also inspired a generation of Nigerians,” he stated.

The Sports Administrator urged the National Sports Commission to establish a platform to celebrate these athletes and recognize their invaluable contributions to Nigerian sports. He emphasized the need to honour their legacy and provide a framework for their continued involvement in sports after retirement.

To support athletes in transition, Mr. Mark recommended that “retirement plans be implemented to ensure a seamless transition into life after sports. This would enable athletes to plan for their future and maximize their post-athletic careers.”

Furthermore, he proposed a welfare package for retired athletes, including access to healthcare, education, and economic empowerment programs. “By doing so, we can show our appreciation for their service and ensure that they are taken care of,” Mr. Mark added.

As Nigeria celebrates its 65th Independence anniversary on October 1, with the theme “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” Mr. Mark’s sentiments echo the sentiments of many Nigerians who believe in the importance of recognizing and supporting the country’s athletes.

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