NBBF crisis: Revamp local leagues, Dare charges IMC
Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare has charged the newly constituted Interim Management Committee (IMC) that will oversee the basketball sports in the country to ensure they focus on developing and reorganising the nation’s local leagues.
Dare, who made this statement yesterday in Abuja during the inauguration of the 11-man committee, added that the IMC must ensure they stick to the terms of reference as a guide to revamp the ailing sport.
One could recall that President Muhammadu Buhari banned the nation from competing in all international basketball competitions following a prolonged factional crisis that rocked the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).
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According to the Minister, IMC with a 2-year mandate are also to attract corporate sponsors who will aid in the speedy revival of the moribund basketball leagues. “The terms of reference of the committee are to draw up programmes that will revamp basketball from the grassroots,” Dare told the committee during the inauguration.
“Attract corporate sponsors and revive the moribund domestic leagues for the development of the game within two years.
“I, therefore, charge you all to carry out this enormous task with the utmost sense of responsibility, bearing in mind you cannot afford to fail in this national assignment,” he added.
According to a NAN report, the minister also advised the team “not to get entangled with federation politics”. Following the successful inaugural ceremony, Henry Nzekwu, chairman of the team, promised to work in the interest and development of the sport.
Other members of the IMC, alongside Nzekwu, are Udon Ubon Humapwa, Frank Jituboh, Zenith Bank Representative and Adamu Ahmed. Others are Peter Nelson, Rahinatu Garba, Aderemi Adewunmi, Oluchi Nzekwe and Eni Adio.
