Sports Ministry suspends NBBF election indefinitely

The October 30 Election of the Nigeria Basketball Federation has been suspended indefinitely.

This was announced in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Ismaila Abubakar, on Monday in Abuja.

The Ministry noted that the decision to suspend the elective congress became necessary to avert further deterioration of the leadership crisis that had engulfed the federation.

Development of basketball
It noted that a rancour-free development of basketball in Nigeria was of utmost importance to the ministry and stakeholders and advised all concerned to comply.

The statement read, “Having reviewed the crisis around the Nigeria Basketball Federation and in consideration of the several attempts by the supervising ministry to resolve the lingering crisis and fractionalisation in the basketball family, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development hereby directs an indefinite suspension of the NBBF Elective Congress scheduled for 30 October, 2021 in Benin City. All concerned Stakeholders are expected to take note and comply.

“This decision is necessary to avert further deterioration of the leadership crisis and towards finding a workable solution to the current disagreements within the federation. The rancour-free development of basketball in Nigeria is of utmost importance.

“The recent elections into the NBBF Board from the various constituencies (zones, NAWIS, Military/Paramilitary, NAPHER.SD etc) stand and those elected remain members-elect.”

PUNCH/Mercy Chukwudiebere