Basketball

Nigerians Clamour For The Return Of Ahmadu Musa Kida As NBBF President

Published

4 years ago

August 15, 2021

As Sports stakeholders countdown to the elections into the various National Sports Federations holding in September, participants in a discussion on an influential platform, Nigeria Sports Center, has thrown their weight behind the return of the Interim Caretaker Chairman of Nigeria Basketball Federation, Ahmadu Musa Kida as the substantive President of the Federation.

The discussion started with a post from one Wonderland Events on the “Best candidates for next month Federation election based on their recent performance”

He said that the Federations need President who can take their federations to the zenith in their various events, and presented the following choices for the Stakeholders among whom are: Squash (Mr. Boye Oyerinde), Volleyball ( Eng.musa Nimrod), Basketball (Eng Musa Kida), Badminton (Francis Orbih Esq), Wrestling ( Mr Daniel Igali), Scrabble (Mr. Sulaiman Garba), Handball (Mr. Samuel Ochie).

He stressed that the Federations need President who can keep the athletes busy with competitions and ensure that the country qualifies for the Commonwealth Games, All African Games and Olympics. “We need referees and coaching clinic too to upgrade knowledge of the technical officials” He concluded that these will save the country’s sports from going into extinction.

However, one Joseph Onekwu expressed curiosity on what Engr Musa Kida has done in Basketball to make him best candidate for the presidency?

This however, elicited responses from participants who went ahead to outline the various achievements of Engineer Musa Ahmed Kida at the Basketball Federation that makes him the best to occupy the position.

According to Wonderland Events, “Under Kida’s leadership, Nigeria qualified for the Olympics in male and female category. The first country to achieve this in Africa. Under Kida, Total Energy bought into division 1 and division 2 of our basketball league. This is a lower Division and not even the premier league. These are unprecedented success”

Continuing, he said “the Division one league is different from the premier league. You are aware that the premier league was put on hold by a court judgement and luckily the court has reversed the decision.

Right now, effort is on to start the league.

It is players from the league that can play for the senior national team, which can only be determined by the national team handlers. Remember that even in football, Rohr has always used foreign based players. Once the league start, it is the coach’s decision to now select players” he opined.

To Akeem Busari, Engr Musa Kida is the best thing to have happened to Basketball in Nigeria “Without gainsaying, Engr. Musa Kida is the best thing to happen to basketball in Nigeria, in recent times. We need not recount how he spent his hard-earned personal funds, resources and galvanized local and foreign support and interests for the game in Nigeria”.

“I am a great supporter of excellent, exemplary and selfless leadership in whatever sphere”.

“Remember, the long battle he fought and eventually won in the law courts to regain the basketball league and bring back sanity to the game”.

“Talking about the representation of local players in the basketball national teams, the almost comatose state of the game in Nigeria, obviously played a big role in the selection processes. Now, with coach Brown extending his contract, and the divisions 1&2 coming up, basketball development in Nigeria can only get better”.

“Engr. Musa Kida, like Musa Nimrod, Daniel Igali, CSP Abubakar Yakubu deserves another tenure in office” he concluded.

Dominic Ehimare summed it up saying “I am with Musa Kida for life. I have only come in contact with him once and he left an indelible impressive impression in me about how sports matters should reside in the hands of competent people and not square pegs in round holes”.

Others who spoke on the platform enumerated the achievements of the NBBF under Kida to include:

1. D’Tigress winning the Afro basketball back-to-back for the first time.

2. Qualified to the World Cup in Spain and got to the quarterfinals for the first time.

3. The D’Tigers too got to the final at first attempt and won the Afro Basketball at the second attempt.

4. The first African team to beat the USA and Argentina, both global power House in Basketball. Became the first country to qualify for the 2020 FIBA World Cup in China. Created an upset by defeating China enroute to qualifying for the 2020 Olympics without having to go for the playoffs, and this is the first time the D’Tigers are doing so.

They concluded that Kida is a man who does not wait for Government to release funds for him to set the ball rolling. “He funds his activities and wait for his refunds.

Such refunds are usually far less than what he spends, and he takes it like that without complaining.

He believes that he must make sacrifices sometimes to attract the best, around the world, to be part of the NBBF’s journey to the summit of global Basketball” they concluded.

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Basketball

Over ₦5 Million Up for Grabs as 2025 Sam Oguche/Bullet Energy Drink Skills Challenge Kicks Off November 14

Published

3 weeks ago

November 7, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Over the years, the Sam Oguche/Bullet Energy Drink Basketball Tournament has become a major grassroots platform impacting the lives of young Nigerians. Many talented youths have realized their dreams through this initiative, which continues to inspire and empower communities across the country.

Building on these successes, this year’s edition slated for 14^th to 15^th of November in Abuja promises to be even bigger, featuring over 5,000 young participants who will compete in various exciting categories.

The event will feature over 5,000 national dancers across the country; 24 Young basketballers will be selected to play an important all-star Game and other impactful event.

The MO Basketball Arena in Zone 5 part of FCT is expected to come alive with creativity, energy, and skill when the 2025 edition, tagged Sam Oguche/Bullet Energy Drink Basketball Skills Challenge, tips off. Winners across different categories will share a total prize of over ₦5 million, making it one of the most anticipated sporting and entertainment events of the year.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the convener, Samuel Oguche, expressed his appreciation to the media and partners for their continued support.

“First of all, we just want to appreciate everyone for being here with us today and for giving us this opportunity once again. This isn’t our first time partnering with you, and as always, Bullet Energy Drink has continued to stand firmly behind basketball Nigeria’s second most popular sport. For the past 10 years, Bullet has consistently supported the growth and promotion of the game,” Oguche said.

He added that the 2025 edition will bring a new level of excitement, combining sports and entertainment in a way never seen before.

“For the first time ever in Abuja, we’re hosting a National Dance Battle something truly unique and unprecedented.

“Dancers from across the country will converge in the city to compete for supremacy and a grand prize of ₦5 million. Alongside that, we’ll host an All-Star Basketball Game, featuring the best 24 players from Abuja and its environs on Saturday, November 15th.

“We’re also introducing something completely new to Nigeria a Basketball Skills Challenge, inspired by the NBA and global sports traditions. We’re proud to be the first brand to bring this kind of experience to Nigerian basketball. This event is all about innovation, excitement, and celebrating talent,” he said.

In his remarks, the representative of Bullet Energy Drink, Mr. Benedict Okoye, reaffirmed the brand’s commitment to supporting the development of sports and entertainment in Nigeria.

“We are truly delighted to be part of this initiative once again. Bullet has proudly supported basketball for the past 10 years, and it’s been an incredible journey watching the sport grow rapidly across the country,” Okoye said.

He noted that adding dance to the event was a strategic move to expand the impact of the brand’s engagement with youth and creativity.

“Dance is a universal language that everyone enjoys and connects with. We want to explore new horizons and creatively blend the beverage industry with dance and sports, not just in Nigeria but as a model that can inspire similar collaborations globally.

“Moving forward, we’re confident that this initiative will be a success and when it does, we’ll do even more. Our goal is to continue supporting Nigeria’s entertainment and creative community — whether through sports, dance, music, or other cultural expressions.

“We’re proud to play our part in creating opportunities and providing platforms that keep entertainment alive and thriving in Nigeria,” he added.

This year’s edition promises to be a celebration of talent, creativity, and youthful energy, reaffirming Bullet Energy Drink’s place as a leading supporter of grassroots sports and entertainment development in Nigeria.

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