Factional president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Igoche Mark, has thrown his weight behind the Federal Government’s recent interventions aimed at developing the sport from the grassroots.
After the recent withdrawal of Nigerian basketball from all international competitions for two years, the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development has disclosed plans to float two grassroots competitions for the purpose of discovering hidden talents.
Igoche in a press statement he personally signed yesterday expressed readiness to align himself with the programmes of the Federal Ministry of sports because they are in tandem with his vision for basketball development.
“The ‘New Face of Basketball’, including the players, coaches, referees, and commissioners have resolved to align ourselves with the programmes of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in its quest to develop the game, especially at the grassroots and secondary schools.
“What is being planned by the ministry is in line with the core mandate of the ‘New Face of basketball’ in Nigeria,” he said.
However, Igoche who chided the Engineer Musa Kida led group for working against the interest of Nigerian basketball said he was shocked by the decision of the Federal Government to withdraw the national teams from international competitions for two years.
“The decision of the Federal Government to withdraw its national teams from participating in all international basketball competitions for two years, as announced by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development came to us as a shock,” the statement reads in part.
