Following the earlier withdrawal of Nigerian basketball from international competition, Nigerians have not stopped reacting to the decision to go on a two-year sabbatical coming from the presidency.
This is a result, no doubt, of the leadership crisis that has dogged Nigerian basketball for more than eight years, hence, the withdrawal of the country from international competitions for two years. Citing the unending crises that have plagued and nearly crippled basketball development in the country, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development said President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the action for the period to enable the country to tackle the issues.
Special Assistant to the Minister of Youth and Sports on Multimedia, Toyin Ibitoye did not hide his feelings as he confesses that he was heartbroken. The Minister’s top aide opens up to seasoned sports journalist Michelle Obi in an exclusive interview. “It’s very sad. We are heartbroken. It took us a long time to get to the top of basketball in Africa, being the best team for both the men and women and it’s unfortunate that it’s at this time this is happening” Toyin Ibitoye said.
It’s no longer news that the foundation of the suspension was the aged long power tussle between two factions over the leadership reign in Nigerian Basketball and according to Ibitoye, their actions are successfully dragging the game in the mud and the presidential imposed suspension will bring sanitation to the game in general “The atmosphere of our basketball has become so toxic that the players, men, and women, have beginning to get involved in the politics of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, trying to decide who should be on the board and the president. And when we thought this thing will subside, it gets dipper and dipper to the extent that it has become an international embarrassment on Nigeria” according to Ibitoye, there could be moves to embarrass us more internationally which may likely lead to a boycott of games by players and it is very important that the president steps in as soon as they can. he urged sports fans to be understanding, saying that whatever is capable of causing embarrassment is better avoided as government thinking is very different.
According to the statement made by the permanent secretary of the Sports Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, soon there will be an interim management committee to pilot affairs but questions are raised on who will be responsible for the appointment of the interim since this suspension is coming from the presidency or could it be done by the sports Ministry? ” this has gone beyond a ministerial position as it has come from the very top, whatever decision is taken about the incoming interim management committee, will have to get them buying from the presidency. I assume, whatever action is taken around the basketball, the presidency will be monitoring” he added.
Toyin Ibitoye further emphasizes that desperate situations demand desperate measures as decisions now will be taken with strict consultation of the presidency and stakeholders. Once decisions are made, they will be communicated to the appropriate bodies. Another question will be, who will communicate to the international body like the FIBA? Logically, it should be the NBBF, if there is still any ” FIBA will be communicated through the ministry or the NBBF. FIBA will recognize the NBBF, the Kida’s group as FIBA needs to be communicated in one way or the other. ”
The Minister’s top aide makes it known that Nigeria’s president is a very understanding and sensitive person who will understand if there is a change in attitude and readiness to work in an arena void of rancor and bitterness and sees a united house, things can always be resolved and we can get to where we are supposed to be in terms of our basketball.
