Popoola wants factions of NBBF to allow basketball players enjoy their game devoid of rancour.
Following the recent arguments on who controls the Nigeria basketball league and national teams in the country after FIBA’s December communique, the Nigeria Olympic committee has called on the warring parties in the leadership tussle of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to be patient and allow FIBA takes its final decision on who is in charge of the body.
Speaking with The Guardian the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Secretary General, Tunde Popoola, charged the Tijjani Umar-led faction to respect the recent pronouncement made by FIBA that Musa Kida is still the one recognised by the world basketball body as NBBF’s president, pending when the fact-finding mission from FIBA visits the country to investigate the issues arising in the crises before its final pronouncement.
Read Also:
He noted that it is very dangerous for some people to truncate the peace process initiated by FIBA, as Nigeria basketball needs a well-tailored programme to pave way for a solid transformation of the dunking game this year.
Popoola enjoined the board not to allow any form of distraction affect its activities during the process of waiting for FIBA’s representatives as basketball players in the country need to have a sense of direction to give their best in any competition.
“For me the issue that some people are trying to take charge of the basketball league and national team from the Kida-led board still surprises me. This is because FIBA has already given its verdict on who is in charge, pending when the world body is through with their investigations.
Musa Kida and Tijjani Umar are professionals in basketball and they know what it means to respect FIBA’s rules. May be the issue on ground is based on another third party trying to get recognition, this I am not sure.
“I do not believe that Umar would be involved in all this since FIBA had already sent a letter to make the parties know its stand. NOC’s target is to ensure every problem is solved as soon as possible for the coaches and players to enjoy the game of basketball at both the domestic and international levels. Everybody is waiting for FIBA’s delegation visit to clarify all the pending issues in the NBBF,” he stated.
Source: G Sport
