Date: 2020-10-18

•Kida Calls For Understanding

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has announced that the Men's Premier League may not dunk off soon due to the ongoing suit brought against it by an 'unknown' entity, Management Board of Kwese Premier Basketball League' and one Ibrahim Sa'ad (Chairman, Gombe State Basketball Association) fronting for Gombe Bulls, Kwara Falcons Basketball Club and the Nigeria Basketball Premier League Owners' Council.

NBBF was dragged to court on November 6, 2018, by proxies of the former NBBF Board in an attempt to stop the current Board from organising the Premier Basketball League.

The suit, which is an injunction seeking to stop the NBBF from organising the Nigerian Premier Basketball league (FHC/ABJ/CS/1317/2018) held a court sitting on October 13, 2020.

In order to avoid contempt of court, the NBBF says it will refrain from organising the Premier Basketball until the determination of the substantive suit.

NBBF President, Engr Musa Kida said: "We are not unmindful of the concerns of our players, who are being affected by the absence of NBBF Men's Premier League, but sadly, most agitators have found it easier to blame the board for not being concerned about their plight, which is the easiest thing for them to do due to ignorance."

The board said there was a need to set the records straight so that genuine stakeholders can beam their searchlight on the real people causing problems, and who are hell bent on destroying the future of young basketball players because of their personal agenda.

While calling for understanding of the situation, Kida said the federation was doing all in its power to actively engage the players.

"We have been engaging in massive marketing drive to get sponsors, but no responsible corporate organisation will want to invest in a cacophonous environment that we have found ourselves."

Kida continues: "In spite of the legal logjam and absence of a sponsor, the federation has been coming up with different programs to fill the vacuum.

We know it is not enough, but we will continue to do our best as allowed by the reality on ground.'

Ruing the missed opportunities for players to grow, the NBBF president said: "We have recorded some achievements through the Total Division One and Two leagues as well as the expanded Zenith Bank Women Basketball League. Imagine what we would have achieved without all these needless distractions".

The NBBF board has urged all stakeholders to join hands with the federation in flushing out people who are stanchly opposing the development and progress of Nigerian basketball.