South East Basketball Association Condemns Nigeria’s International Basketball Withdrawal
The South East Basketball Association (SEBA), which comprises Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States, has condemned the withdrawal of Nigerian basketball from international competitions by the Federal Government.
The zone commiserates with all players local and abroad that the actions of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, have and will affect.
In a press release signed by Secretary, Osondu Ngwude, SEBA stated that the decision will derail the development of basketball in Nigeria.
“Without any contradiction, SEBA is 100 per cent behind the Nigeria Basketball Federation and its President, Musa Ahmadu Kida, who in the last four years have built an enviable basketball dynasty,” SEBA said in a statement.
“It is no mean feat that D’Tigers and D’Tigress have become the two best teams in Africa and the top 10 globally, which calls to question the Minister’s decision to suspend the best sports federation in Nigeria?”
“The only federation to qualify the men’s and women’s teams for the 2020 Olympics built the most robust grassroots program in the history of the game with the first-ever Division One and Two tournaments sponsored by TotalEnergies Nigeria,” SEBA added.
“It has also been the first-ever time the South East as a block participated in any grassroots event and the first time a South East team, ‘Coal city Miners’ featured in the premier league ‘THE PRESIDENTS CUP’.”
“The South East believes the actions of the minister are politically motivated, a witch hunt, and not a sports-related decision as all excuses lack any justifications cooked up as a defence to the withdrawal.”
Hence, the South East will not support or participate in any ‘manufactured’ programs from the Federal Ministry of Sports,” SEBA concluded.
SEBA also stated that they will be convening an urgent meeting to find creative ways to keep players engaged and motivated during what will be a gloomy period for Nigerian basketball.
Chidi Nwoke/NBBF/SEBA.
