The Technical Director of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Ayo Bakare, yesterday announced his resignation from the federation.
“After due consideration of my personal commitments at this time, I have decided to withdraw from my role as the Technical Director of the Nigeria Basketball Federation,’’ Bakare told newsmen in Lagos.
He said the decision was not sudden, but was made after a lot of consideration, discussion and consultation with the federation.
“I have the highest personal and professional regard for the NBBF President Tijjani Umar and his administration and fully endorse and support their programmes.
“I remain irrevocably committed to the progress of Nigerian basketball and will continue to support and serve Nigerian basketball as I have dome in these past 25 or more years.
“I remain equally committed to the success of this current NBBF administration,’’ he said, pledging his continuous support regardless of whether he was “ in an active or reduced role’’.
“I urge all to continue to support the NBBF for the uplifting of Nigeria basketball,’’ Bakare said.
Bakare had served as a coach of the senior national team, D’Tigers in the past.
He was in charge of D’Tigers when the team qualified for its first World Championship in Greece in 2008.
The coach also took the national team to the last summer Olympic Games held in London.
Bakare, who owns and coaches the Ebun Comets Basketball Club of Lagos; one of the oldest clubs in Nigeria’s National Basketball League, also led Nigeria to several African Championships.
In the 1997 African Championship, Nigeria’s national team, under tutelage of Bakare, finished second to host Senegal.
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