By Amaechi Agbo
The crises rocking the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF have degenerated with two factional Presidents elected from two congresses held at two different venues on Monday.
In Abuja, Mark Igoche was elected and sworn-in in a congress held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, along with Osita Nwachukwu as Vice President.
However, in another congress in Benin, Edo state, former President, Musa Kida was re-elected for a second term.
Musa kida returned as the president of Nigeria Basketball Federation at the NBBF Elective Congress in Benin City and Ugo Udoze elected as the South East representative.
Kida’s new board members were also sworn-in after the election
Mr Igoche, the North Central representative in the Abuja NBBF board, polled 11 votes to win the presidency in Abuja while Osita Nwachukwu, representing South East Zone also polled 11 votes to emerge as Vice President.
Other zonal representatives at the Abuja Congress are; Mohammed Lawal Na’Allah (North West) ; Ibrahim Gimba (North East), Kinglsely Aigbonaga (South South) and Josiah Amedu (South West).
Chairman of the electorial committee
Suleman Muhammed and vice chairman of the FCT Basketball Association said he was pleased that the election was free and fair in line with the Sports Ministry’s directive.
“I am very happy to see that the election was conducted in line with Sports Ministry’s directive.The election was very free and fair.”Muhammed stated.
In his acceptance speech, shortly after being sworn in, Mr Igoche appealed to all stakeholders to unite and build basketball in the country
“For me, it is exciting because for the first time, stakeholders came together to take the bull by the horn, they have resisted every attempt of imposition. This is time to build the game of basketball. I want all to come together and join in building basketball.” Mark started.
Others on the NBBF Board are; Stanely Gumut (Players Representative), Tope Oluwosulu (Paramilitary Representative) and Scot Nnaji (Technical/Coaches Representative).
It was not clear as at press time if the federal ministry of youth and sports sent representatives to monitor the two congresses, however, the congress in Abuja was conveyed with the ministry’s backing.
The factionalisation of the basketball federation has brought to fore many deep-rooted challenges facing sport generally in the country.
Recall that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN was in 2020 thrown into factions while the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, BFN is also currently engulfed in seemingly intractable leadership quagmire.
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