By Andrew ABAH, Abuja
Igoche Mark, a renowned basketball promoter, has called on the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently address the lingering crisis in basketball, which has hindered the development of the sport in Nigeria.
Speaking to journalists at the closing ceremony of a two-day basketball camp organized by the Veterans of Abuja (VOA) for kids between the ages of 4-16, Mark emphasized the need for the government to tackle the root causes of the crisis, rather than just treating the symptoms.
“The problem of basketball has been lingering, and it’s still unresolved,” Mark said. “I urge the Sports Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh, and the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to tackle the root causes, rather than adopting the cosmetic approach of past governments.”
Mark highlighted the importance of sports in addressing some of the country’s challenges, including insecurity and economic woes. “Sports can be used to tackle insecurity challenges, economic challenges, and unemployment,” he said. “I enjoin the Federal government to pay more attention to sports and settle the crisis in basketball, as this will yield positive dividends.”
The Mark D’ Ball Basketball Championship, founded by Mark, remains one of the biggest basketball championships in recent times, and he has maintained his unwavering support for the game. Mark expressed optimism that with the right leadership in the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), the sport will become an envy to many.
“The potential of basketball in Nigeria is enormous, and with the right leadership, we can achieve great things,” Mark said. “I believe that the government and the key stakeholders can work together to resolve the crisis and take basketball to the next level.”
Mark’s call to action comes at a critical time for Nigerian basketball, which has been plagued by internal conflicts and mismanagement. The government’s response to the crisis will be closely watched by stakeholders in the sports sector.
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