Sport

Ex-D’Tigress Star Pushes Grassroots Basketball Growth

By Web News 421

By Olusegun Folarin

A three-day basketball camp ended in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, with a call on the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to establish sustainable grassroots development programmes.

Former Nigeria international basketball player Onome Akinbode-James made the call at the grand finale of a three-day basketball skills programme for girls held at the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta.

Akinbode-James, who played collegiate basketball at Duke University in the United States, said the initiative formed part of the Ready Leaders programme, which focuses on leadership development through sports and digital literacy.

She said the 40 participants, drawn from multiple states across the country, displayed strong leadership qualities that would support their personal and professional growth.

The FIBA Africa Under-16 Women’s Championship silver medalist in Madagascar also announced plans to develop a structured curriculum to help young female athletes sustain their development beyond the camp.

Veteran basketball player Chief Alabi Adelanwa described the camp as a vital step toward strengthening grassroots basketball in Nigeria.He praised the organiser for investing in the leadership and personal development of young girls through sport.

Several participants said the programme gave them a platform to showcase their talents while gaining valuable leadership skills.A total of 40 players from Ogun, Lagos, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Osun and Oyo states took part in the three-day camp.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

Follow us on Telegram and YouTube, and join our WhatsApp Update Group for more news updates.

Sport

Nigeria withdraws From International Basketball Competitions

By Web News 569 Post a comment

President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the immediate withdrawal of Nigeria from all international basketball competitions for a period of two years with immediate effect.

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

Dare, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ismaila Abubakar, said a committee would be set up to oversee basketball leagues in the country.

“Following the unending crisis which has plagued and nearly crippled the development of basketball in Nigeria, President Buhari has approved the withdrawal of Nigeria from all international basketball competitions for a period of two years.

“This is with immediate effect,” he said.

The minister added that the withdrawal of Nigeria is in order to concentrate efforts by the government towards revamping the sport from the grassroots as well as domestic leagues which have become moribund.

“This will also allow for the setting up of an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to oversee the management and development of the domestic basketball leagues in Nigeria,” he said.

He then called on stakeholders to help sustain and stabilise the game.“In issuing the order, the Federal Government reiterates its interest and commitment to the development of the sport of basketball in Nigeria as well as huge talents of our youth domestically in an atmosphere free of rancour and squabbles.

“Government, therefore, calls on players, officials, fans, and other stakeholders of the sport to remain calm as it embarks on far-reaching initiatives to reposition, sustain and stabilise the game of basketball.

“This will aid in the growth and success of the sport in the long-term interest of the country,” the minister said.

The basketball federation has been engulfed in leadership crisis in the last five years.

Two parallel national federation board elections were held in 2017 (in Kano and Abuja) and 2022 (in Benin and Abuja), leading to the emergence of separate governing bodies.

Punch/Olaolu Fawole

Sport

World Governing Bodies Collaborate To Make Basketball Most Popular Sports

By Web News 1183

FIBA and the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation ,IWBF, have strengthened their partnership with the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding until the end of 2023.

The two world governing bodies for the sports of basketball and wheelchair basketball have extended the agreement that will see them continue to work closely with the same goal: to make basketball, in whatever version, the most popular sports community.

This newly signed agreement will enhance the collaboration between IWBF and FIBA, with a special focus on 3×3, broadcast initiatives, and marketing concepts in the wheelchair game, which IWBF hopes to develop with the support of FIBA, a true leader in the world of sport, particularly within those facets.

FIBA Secretary General, Andreas Zagklis said FIBA had been working closely with IWBF for numerous years.

“We are delighted to continue this collaboration. Our experience and knowledge gained in developing a new discipline within our sport and the excellent broadcasting standards achieved at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China last year can only help the IWBF in their vision for the future. We look forward to supporting the IWBF over the next four years in their new developments and initiatives.” Zagklis noted.

On his part,the IWBF President, Ulf Mehrens explained that the federation was extremely honored to be considered part of the FIBA family and thrilled to be able to continue to develop further links between the two formats and promote inclusion throughout the basketball community.

“As a federation, IWBF is relatively small and young, therefore, to be able to have the support and guidance from FIBA’s extensive knowledge and experience is imperative and invaluable to be able to help grow the federation and establish a sustainable and independent future for the sport.”Mehrens said.

The beneficial working relationship was established in 1992, by the then IWBF President, Sir Philip Craven MBE and the former FIBA Secretary General Borislav Stankovic following the creation of an independent wheelchair basketball federation. IWBF is recognized as a basketball organization under the FIBA General Statutes.

Adedayo Adelowo

News Sport

FIBA Reveals Guidelines for Resumption of Basketball

By Web News 1182

International Basketball Federation, FIBA, has published recommendations on returning to basketball, with new guidelines for National Federations, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The guidelines were developed by FIBA Medical Commission Chairman, Dr Peter Harcourt following his consultation with the FIBA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group, MAG, and also both the FIBA Medical and Players Commissions. 

To this end, a Basketball-Specific Risk Assessment Tool has also been produced in collaboration with the World Health Organization, WHO.

FIBA’s guidelines are primarily for National Federations that are seeking direction and advice on the restart of basketball activities and competitions, with the vast majority around the world having been halted in mid-March due to the pandemic. 

The guidelines and risk assessment tool will serve as a checklist to ensure any decisions on basketball events are based on an assessment of risks and the best chance of a successful restart. 

This publication is not intended to replace the guidelines and restrictions of governments and public health authorities. The risk assessment tool is a live document and will be updated regularly. 

Adedayo Adelowo