Sports
Unity Is Key To Reviving Nigerian Basketball-Igoche Mark
Joel Ajayi
Prominent basketball promoter and initiator of the Mark”D” Championship, Mr. Igoche Mark, has emphasized the urgent need for unity among Nigerian basketball stakeholders, urging them to set aside personal agendas for the growth of the sport.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Global Sports Program on Sunday, Mark stressed that internal conflicts and lack of cohesion are major obstacles hindering basketball’s progress in the country. “Currently, one of our biggest problems is internal fighting, lack of unity.
A house divided against itself cannot stand. Nigeria basketball stakeholders need to come together and put aside personal agendas,” he said.
Mark, who is determined to spearhead efforts to unite basketball stakeholders, highlighted the common goal that should bind everyone involved in the sport. “No doubt, we all have something in common, which is passion for basketball, irrespective of our differences.
This is me saying, let’s put aside all our differences and come together in one voice in order to advance the sport. We have a whole lot more to contribute; we need to put down a structure to guide, and we need to focus on development.
There is a need to close that disparity between our prowess on the international scene and that of our domestic league,” he stated.
Calling for immediate action, Mark promised to lead efforts to bring stakeholders to the table. “Going forward, we need to talk, we need to start mending fences for basketball to make progress,” he concluded.
Other panelists on the show, including Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Board Member and Olympian Olumide Oyedeji, and basketball promoter Ugo Udueze, echoed Mark’s sentiments, agreeing that a united front is essential for the advancement of Nigerian basketball.
The consensus among the speakers underscores a growing recognition that without unity and collaboration, Nigerian basketball will struggle to realize its full potential, both domestically and on the international stage.
Sports
Niger Delta Games: Cross River Poised To Raise Future Stars
Chairman of the Cross River State Sports Commission, Mr. Lawrence Itanya has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for supporting young sports men and women in the region through the Niger Delta Games.
Itanya applauded the initiative while receiving the representative of Dunamis Icon Limited, the Project Consultants, and expressed the state’s readiness to take advantage of the games to identify and groom young athletes.
“On behalf of His Excellency, Apostle Prince Bassey Edet Otu, and the good people of Cross River State, I welcome you to the carnival city of Calabar. We deeply appreciate the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Dunamis Icon for initiating an innovative platform designed to discover, nurture, and project young sporting talents from the Niger Delta region to the global stage”, Itanya said while receiving Fred Edoreh, the Project Director who represented the Chairman of Dunamis Icon, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo KSM, at the inauguration of the State Liaison Committee on Monday.
Preparations for the games has evidently heightened as sporting facilities, including the Olympic-standard swimming pool has been renovated.
The Cross River State Liaison Committee will be led by Mr. Itanya, who will oversee the coordination of the state’s preparations and participation ahead of the Edo 2026 Games.
Members of the committee include Hon. Queen Gladys Igut (Commissioner I), Mrs. Rosemary Usang (Director, Sports Commission), Mr. Ettah Emmanuel O. (Media Coordinator, and
Mr. David Enwa (Assistant Stadium Manager).
Speaking during the ceremony, Edoreh thanked the Government of Cross River State for the warm reception and support.
He formally inducted members of the liaison committee and outlined their responsibilities, noting that the committee is to work closely with the Cross River State Sports Commission to coordinate pre-games activities, including grassroots talent discovery, athlete screening, and logistical planning ahead of the Games proper.
The ancient city of Calabar, widely celebrated as the birthplace of football and several other sports in Nigeria, has once again assumed a prominent position in national sports development as preparations gather momentum for the 2nd edition of the Niger Delta Games, Edo 2026.
The inauguration represents a significant milestone in the build-up to what is projected to be one of Nigeria’s biggest and most exciting sporting events.
The official inauguration at the Olympic-standard swimming pool underscores Cross River State’s commitment to sports excellence and grassroots development, while reaffirming the collective resolve of all stakeholders to ensure a successful outing at the 2nd Niger Delta Games.
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