• The contenders for NBBF leadership… Igoche Mark and Musa Kida
A former board member of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, Alhaji Mustapha Liman has lauded the neutrality of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in the leadership crisis rocking the Basketball Federation, insisting that such position of the sports ministry is the only panacea to resolving the lingering leadership tussle.
Liman told journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, that the problem of the NBBF is local and hence local approach should be employed in resolving the issue.
• FCT Hardrockers player on target during Mark D Ball Championship last week at the Indoor Hall, Package B of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja
He however noted that some selfish Nigerians have decided to use FIBA as a pawn in escalating the crisis.
The former basketball player and coach admitted that that the game of basketball in Nigeria has been killed by those who took charge in administering the slam and dunk game five years ago, and insisted that fresh and young minds should come on board to salvage the game.
“What is happening in Nigeria basketball is so sad, but I am happy that the Ministry is taking the right decision, from all indications; the ministry has showed that they are neutral.
“The best thing to do now is that the Ministry should organise a fresh election by using their guideline as applicable to other federations; and not the satanic document they are calling constitution…Engr Musa Kida has been on the board of NBBF since 1997, he is the longest serving board member but unfortunately with nothing to show. It is very sad what happened five years ago when the game was hijacked. They killed the league and they started depending on foreign players,” Liman stated.
The former Niger Potter coach queried why Engr Kida has not settled the allowances and bonuses owed the D’Tigress, despite interventions from the Sports Ministry and the National Assembly after the international embarrassment his action brought to the country.
