Stakeholders set agenda for Nigerian basketball in 2015
annual Mark D’ Ball championship set agenda for the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF in the new year. Those who spoke did not hide the fact that instability in the federation since the NSC conducted elections into the federation board has affected the administration but insist that Nigeria can have things done better. Excerpts:
Tunji Awojobi (Former D’ Tigers captain):
I see 2015 as one that would be very interesting because I’m back to Nigerian basketball for good. I look forward to an improved domestic league with the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF doing more for the game.
Given the talent level, our basketball deserves a pride of place in Africa. We can’t continue to play second fiddle to countries like Angola, Senegal, Egypt, Cote d’ Ivoire. I was in Tunisia with Dolphin Basketball club for the Africa Champions Cup for Women and I saw so much that the Angolans are doing that we’ve failed to do. Those running basketball for them are people who have the passion for the game and not those who are just interested at occupying positions for the sake of it.
The numbers of games our teams are involved in are so inadequate compared to those in Angola that is basically over 45 per season. Our national teams have suffered over the years due to lack of an improved league and awareness. We can’t attract foreign players into our leagues to make it as competitive as it should be. Those running our basketball today should realize that what holds us together is the game and no is bigger than the game. We should throw pride away and seek better basketball for Nigerian basketball.
Igoche Mark (Proprietor of Mark Mentors):
The one thing that binds us together is the game of basketball. So, I expect that all the bickering that has enveloped us over the past few months should be put aside for us to work together and take our basketball to the next level. Personal differences should be put aside for us to do better.
Usman Abubakar (Kano Pillars):
The season past was a good one but there’s plenty of room for improvement. At the continental level, we didn’t do well as we had expected because there’s so much that was left undone.
The Nigerian Basketball Federation, NBBF needs to assist teams in continental championships by ensuring that there is an improved league. There’s a great need for better guidance for the teams and players to be focused at the job they have gone for.
Our clubs need better enlightenment in the way they plan for continental championships and the technical crews also need to show greater commitment in carrying out their jobs. Most of our players are often in a hurry to jet out of the country without learning the basic fundamentals of the game and what is more painful is that our players lack discipline and no longer listen to their coaches.
Martina Emmanuel (Ex-international):
I must clearly state that our basketball especially at the continental levels have been dismal due to no fault of their but because we have failed to plan adequately for it.
In this New Year, we should start now to plan for what we expect. It’s not enough to just plan on paper without executing them. The time for the NBBF to have a cordial relationship with the State Sports Councils or private club owners is now because they do the real job on ground at the grassroots levels. This relationship will help monitor players from time to time. The NBBF should also put in place regular trial camps for players so as they can get to understand themselves better before major international competitions.
Another issue that I expect to get better is that of financing for the game. There’s a need for more sponsorship to help create more competitions and most importantly is the fact that those in leadership should stop putting people who have no relevance with the sport in offices just for the sake of it. Sentiments don’t play basketball and as such, we should learn to work with like minds.
Lastly, the NBBF’s idea of banking purely on foreign based players is demoralizing to our players in the domestic league as they have nothing to look forward to.
Ibrahim Alhassan Danlami (Coach of Full Force BC, Abuja):
I foresee a beautiful atmosphere for basketball in Nigeria this year with more games for teams, more sponsors coming on board for the game to compete favourably with football.
Players need to get a better understanding of the game and ensure that they are disciplined. A situation where players think they are super stars and come to games just before tipoff is gross indiscipline and cannot be tolerated. The game of basketball is a game where discipline is key. This aspect has been left unattended to and it has affected basketball at all levels.
Ruth Paul (A power forward with Plateau Rocks):
Basketball in Nigeria does not have the kind of attention it deserves because we don’t have enough competitions. When players have many competitions to play, they get better. Lack of funds has played a key role in hampering teams from being part of the game in Nigeria.
The NBBF should seek ways of improving funding for basketball and see how it can encourage other states to participate in her activities because there are so many players that are yet to get the opportunity to be a part of basketball outside their states.
Spenser Chile (Head coach of UniAgric, Makurdi):
For the New Year, I look forward to seeing other senators in Nigeria developing sports like the senate president, David Mark is doing in Oturkpo.
The ugly situation of age cheating should be of paramount interest to NBBF and they should as a matter of urgency introduce age group competitions where data is taken to curb a situation where a 25 year-old man comes to compete as an U-16 or U-17 athlete.
And to help improve the fundamentals of players, clubs in the Nigerian leagues should be mandated to set up academies where players are groomed.
Adole Agaba (Former Nigerian international):
I am worried by the level of coaching in Nigeria and I think the NBBF should this year take time to assess her coaches at all levels and get them properly updated.
From what I saw of the coaches that were at the Mark D’ Ball 2014, it is clear that our players are just about raw energy without basic fundamentals and they are not seeing it. The Blame It On Experience team have always come tops over these younger players because when it gets to the crunch, they go back to the basis.
Our coaches need to take charge of their players and not join the players in blaming referees when they have not done their jobs because a miserable coach can only produce miserable players.
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