The sports ministry has appointed an Interim Management Committee to oversee Nigerian basketball, following a two-year ban on international basketball.
The latest move by the government could, however, draw the ire of world body FIBA, who frown against “third party interference” in the administration of basketball in member federations.
Sports minister Sunday Dare, through the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ismaila Abubakar, had stated two weeks ago that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had given approval, with immediate effect, to withdraw Nigeria from all international basketball competitions for a period of two years following the lingering leadership rift in the Nigeria Basketball Federation.
The minister added that the withdrawal was part of government’s efforts to revamp the sport from the grassroots, as well as put an end to the crises that had rocked the NBBF.
He added that a committee would be set up to oversee basketball leagues in the country.
On Monday, the ministry, through a statement signed by its Director, Press and Press Relations, Mohammed Manga, confirmed that the committee had been set up.
“Following the recent directives of President Muhammadu Buhari on the state of basketball in the country and its withdrawal from all international basketball competitions for the next two years, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has announced the members of the Interim Management Committee to oversee the development of the sport in Nigeria,” the statement reads.
The list includes Dr. Henry Nzekwu, Udon Ubon Humapwa, Frank Jitubhoh, Zenith Bank – Representative, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, Peter Nelson, Group Captain Rahinatu Garba, Aderemi Adewunmi, Oluchi Nzekwe and Sani Adio (SAN).
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