The President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) President Mr. Tijjani Umar has called for concerted action from all members of the extended basketball family if improvement must be achieved in the way the game is positioned in Nigeria. Umar made the call over the weekend in Abuja during the Annual General Meeting of the Basketball Federation. The meeting which had delegates from across the country held at the National Institute for Sports (Athlete Development Centre) located at the Package B area of the Abuja National Stadium.
“It is in the interest of the game that we open up the system; all doors and frontiers and that is the reason for holding this very meeting. If we want to be the number two sport of the nation we must endeavour to be number two effectively,” Umar told the gathering in his welcome address.
He told the house that it was the determination of the board to have quality relationship with existing sponsors; explore new roads to expanding such partnership while opening new orders.
“We desire that all affiliates run along with us on the same wave length in the set objectives in marketing our products and events and for that reason we brought in consultants in the fields of marketing and ICT management to address this gathering. Specifically, the aim is to establish, maintain and manage a credible database system capable of adequately delivering our mandate.”
The Sports Minister was represented by the Deputy Director Technical and Coaching in the National Sports Commission Mr. Miko Diso. The Minister acknowledged taking note of the issues raised on funding the Federations but specifically congratulated the NBBF board for the achievements made so far at both the local international levels.
“The way this meeting has been packaged and the zeal shown so far in making adequate independent funding and capacity development surely encourages the Sports Ministry. I wish you can keep the tempo going and satisfy the yearnings of stakeholders of this game,” he said.
Mr Kunle Raji and of Global Sports Concept and Nelson Imeh of Hybrid Sports Management took the delegates through the marketing and communication technology sessions. The meeting had delegates from all the states in the South West, South East and South South zones except for Abia, Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi States. From the northern part of the country, Sokoto, Katsina and Adamawa States were among those absent. The session which is planned to run on annual basis was conducted in open session with questions and contributions from the delegates. The representatives of the states received the balls donated to the country by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). The congress was preceded by the NBBF Board meeting at the same. The meeting which held Friday night approved amongst other things the working committees of the Federation.
Pius Ayinor, FIBA Africa