Sponsor of Mark D Ball Championship, Mr. Igoche Mark, has said he remains the authentic President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), following the Sports Ministry’s dissolution of the Interim Management Committee (IMC), a body inaugurated by the Minister, Sunday Dare.
In a statement in Abuja on Friday, Mark said, “Let me mention here that for any election to be valid, it must be seen to be free, fair and credible. All three essential components were lacking in the purported NBBF election, held in Benin City, Edo State. Infact, the exercise there was a rouse!
“It is on record that one Engr. Musa Kida who is currently parading himself as the NBBF President instituted a case against me, and three others including the duly elected Players’ Rep, Mr. Stanley Gumut and the Kaduna State Basketball Chairman, Pastor Skambo Morrison, at the Edo State High Court in a Suit No B/52/2022.
“That suit sought to restrain us from participating in the January 31, 2022 election, held in Benin City.
“On the other hand, the process that gave birth to my election and those of my Board was hinged on the Sports Ministry’s directive in a letter with reference number NBBF/CESG.83/2022/Vol.1/127 to conduct the election at the venue so directed by the Ministry.
“There has been no other letter from the Sports Ministry countering the aforementioned.
“While the question of who now superintends over the affairs of Basketball in Nigeria still remains unclear, going by the announcement from the Sports Ministry, let me use this medium to unequivocally assert, and clear the air that I have not, and will not surrender the mandate given to me on January 31, 2022 by the key and critical stakeholders of the game. A mandate that stands for the growth and development of basketball in Nigeria. It is on that mandate I stand.”
