NBBF dispels fears over ban, Nigeria gets FIBA qualifiers hosting right

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) is sure the sport’s world governing body, FIBA, will not ban the country when the deadline to resolve the federation’s crisis expires on November 30.

The Federation is also certain that Nigeria will host a befitting FIBA World Championship qualifiers, saying the modalities for the hosting right has almost been agreed on.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, NBBF Secretary General, Chimezie Asiegbu explained that FIBA has nothing against the present body led by Musa Kida, noting that the world body only sent a letter to ensure that adequate measures were put in place to restore normalcy in the federation.

He said the achievements of the Kida-led board in international competitions have proved that there is no problem in Nigerian Basketball, adding that hosting the World Championships’ qualifiers would be another milestone achievement in the history of the game in the country.

Asiegbu also congratulated Nigeria’s male team for winning the inaugural 2017 FIBA 3X3 Africa Cup in Togo at the weekend by beating Cote d’Ivoire in the final game 21 to 9 points.

He added that the female team, which also earned a silver medal after losing to Mali in the final game, has proven to the world that Nigeria is now a force to reckon with in basketball.

Asiegbu said: “With the achievements and peace exciting in the board at present, there is no course to fear any sanction on November 30. “As I am speaking to you, the NBBF is 80 per cent on the line to host Nigeria’s zone of the World Basketball Championship qualifiers in February next year. FIBA is focused to help ensure the growth of the game in Nigeria and hosting the world qualifiers would help the growth of the game as other big teams in the world would come to Nigeria for the event.”