Basketball players condemn ‘FIBA’s attempt to force Kida on Nigeria’

Nigerian basketball players have condemned the attempt to force the Musa Kida-led board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) on Nigeria.

A statement signed by NBBF’s Players Representatives, Stanely Gumut, on Thursday alleged that some individuals were trying to use the Federation of International Basketball Associations (FIBA), to arm-twist the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to do their bidding.

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This follows a purported letter written by FIBA within the week, acknowledging the election of Kida as the NBBF’s President.

The said letter dated March 7th, 2022 also listed and congratulated some associates of Kida as duly elected officers of the NBBF.

But while reacting to the purported FIBA’s letter, Gumut queried the change of the agreed channel of communication between FIBA and the NBBF.

“Our attention has been drawn to a letter, purportedly written by the FIBA, acknowledging one Engr. Musa Kida as President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), at a said election that took place in Benin, Edo State, on January 31.

“Having perused this phantom letter and laid it side by side with the undiluted facts of the NBBF elections of January 31, 2022 which happened in Abuja, it has become pertinent and imperative to clear the air regarding the antics of some selfish desperate individuals are attempting to bully and arm-twist the Sports Ministry to do their bidding.

“These selfish schemers were betrayed by their desperation, to the extent that they forgot that FIBA in 2017 made it crystal clear in correspondence to the NBBF that its only means of communication with the federation is [email protected].

“That agreed, how and why did FIBA address the purported letter to Kida’s personal email?” The statement queried.