Stakeholders in Nigerian basketball have urged the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to revive the national league. The call was made at the 5th edition of the Showtyme Summer Basketball Slam, held on friday at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex in Ibadan.
According to the stakeholders, a vibrant national league is essential for nurturing young talents and ensuring a steady supply of players for the national teams. They argued that a functional league would not only save the careers of basketballers but also enable the country to compete more favorably in international competitions.
The appeal underscores the widespread belief that the future of Nigerian basketball is dependent on a strong domestic foundation that prioritizes grassroots development and provides a professional platform for athletes to thrive.
The head coach of the Oyo State Basketball Team, Taye Sobogun, said that the national body had not organized notable competitions for up-and-coming players for some years.
Sobogun noted that some states, like Oyo, had been organising local leagues to ensure that players were engaged and prepared for future tournaments.
According to him, basketball comes second after football in terms of entertainment and patronage, but the absence of a regular league has seriously affected the game in the country.
“This situation is taking a toll on homegrown players, which is why it is difficult to find a single player from home basketball clubs in the national team,” he said.
The head coach urged the government to give more support to the Nigeria Basketball Federation to function optimally and bring back the glory of basketball.
Sobogun, however, noted that the government alone could not do it all, urging private organisations to invest more in sports development in the country, like South Africa and other developed countries.
“If the government and private organisations can collaborate toward sports development in Nigeria, it will go a long way in our sports development drive,” he said.
Similarly, a basketball legend, Shoola Durojaiye, noted that the major challenge faced by players and coaches was the lack of organised basketball competitions.
According to him, basketball is not as bad as it is now when I was active in the game three decades ago
“There is no doubt that the current situation is affecting our development; players are not getting enough motivation in terms of kits, stipends, and other support,” he said.
A player, Mudasiru Adegoke, urged private companies to adopt basketball teams for sponsorship and promotion of their brands as part of their corporate social responsibilities.
