Events

Stakeholders hail NBBF over Organisation of FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifiers

Published

1 month ago

August 22, 2023

SMI

The 2023 FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifiers tournament which was concluded Sunday in Lagos, would indeed, continue to evoke fond memories in the minds of every lover of the game, who witnessed the history made in Lagos, Nigeria.

The qualification tournament, which was planned to feature eight countries, eventually had six countries participating, as two countries withdrew a few hours before the tip-off. That, however, didn’t take away the keen and high-octane competitiveness of the games that were displayed throughout the tournament, played August 14-20, 2023, at the highbrow Eko Hotels Convention Centre, Lagos.

Not a few fans, officials and stakeholders of the fastly growing game have been waxing lyrically about the games and particularly, the organisation of the tournament.

For the record, the leadership of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) have set an enviable benchmark for the organisation of a basketball event. As it took the tournament to an unconventional centre, away from the usual popular venues.

Staging a continental tournament at the high-brow Eko Hotels Convention Centre, expectedly, drew scepticism and disbelief. However, the ingenuity and administrative acumen of the NBBF, came to the fore, as it completely transformed the place into a secure, world-class and beautiful basketball arena.

Notwithstanding the early ouster of the Nigerian team, D’Tigers from the tournament, fans and enthusiasts took to the games and particularly, the beautiful ambience of the venue, like fish to water, as they sang, danced and cheered the teams throughout the tournament.

Speaking with journalists, the Chairman of the Cameroun Basketball Association, Sam Nduku, while congratulating all the teams that took part in the competition, expressed his satisfaction on the near-flawless of the tournament.

“Firstly, I’d like to congratulate the Nigeria Basketball Federation for taking up the challenge to host this tournament, at short notice. I must also commend all the countries that participated in this qualifier. Importantly, too, I give kudos to NBBF, for organising a world-class tournament, ” Nduku remarked.

For Ousmane Drame, a player of the Guinea team, that lost out in the semi-finals of the tournament, the organisation was top-notch, but it could get better.

“Frankly speaking, I’d say, it was a well-organised tournament. But it can get better, considering the fact that teams had to play back-to-back games, without enough rest. However, in view of the challenges of staging such a tournament, the organisers must be commended for putting in their best, he noted.

That fan favourites, Senegal lost to Cameroun in the final game, was not enough to dampen the morale and enthusiasm of former Senegalese basketball player, Madicke Sene.

According to Sene, who is the Chairman of the Senegalese community in Lagos, the organisation of the tournament was very good. And a big plus for the game in Nigeria and Africa.

“I’m a former basketball player before I relocated to Lagos, several years ago. I want to say a big thank you and congratulations to the Nigeria Basketball Federation for this wonderful organisation.

“I’ve never seen basketball played in such an environment. It’s totally a new and satisfying experience for everyone. Imagine, the players and officials just strolling to the basketball court from their hotel rooms. This is great,” Sene added.

Cameroon emerged as the best team at the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Lagos, Nigeria after they defeated Senegal 80-74 in the final on Sunday. With this result, Cameroon picked the sole ticket to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament beating reigning Afrobasket champions Tunisia, Guinea, Mali and Senegal.

Events

Jos, Plateau Comes Alive As NNL AGA Holds This Friday

Published

14 hours ago

September 29, 2023

SMI

All is set for the Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria National League which is scheduled to hold in the capital city of Plateau state.

Already, stakeholders have started arriving the Tin City for the one-day deliberation.

The AGA which is the first activity of the season will see the NNL board meet with the 40 club representatives to fashion our all formalities for a successful season.

Kickoff date, format, funding and other matters of critical importance will be decided at the assembly.

NNL Chairman George Aluo who is already on the ground, gave further insight on the agenda.

“At the NNL AGA we will be rubbing minds with the club owners, share our thoughts and plans with them and be on the same page and decide when the league will start basically, as that is the most important thing so that after the AGA in Jos, we should be able to tell Nigerians when the league will kickoff.”

He continued, “The President of the NFF Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau has given us a mandate to start the league on time and ensure it aligns with the international calendar and that is the direction we want to go. So we have come up with our own plans and by the time we finish with our AGA in Jos, we’ll tell Nigerians what the plans are and how the league will be played.

He revealed that the board ” has put some plans in place as the NNL has been able to partner with the National Institute for Sports (NIS) for a pre-season capacity building seminar for our coaches. We want to upscale our coaches to make them better. Already, we have invited some resource persons from the NIS and the Technical Director of the NFF Augustine Eguavoen who will be involved in that and a Portuguese coach Thiago Conde so, at the end of the day, we would have upscale our coaches technically and before the start of the season by the time you’ve taken them to the classroom, I’m sure it will rub-off on the NNLas the 2023-2023 season gets underway.”

He appreciated the Plateau state Government for hosting the board as they begin deliberation this Friday.

Events

Colombia 2024: Falconets progress to third round as Mauritius withdraw

Published

2 days ago

September 28, 2023

SMI

The Mauritius Football Association has notified the Confederation of African Football of the withdrawal of the country’s U20 Women National Team from the ongoing African qualifying series for next year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals.

“Kindly note that CAF was informed of the withdrawal of Mauritius FA from the African qualifiers of FIFA U20 WWC 2024. Consequently, Nigeria is qualified to the next round of the competition and the missions of all officials of matches 37 & 38 are cancelled,” read a communication from CAF to the Nigeria Football Federation.

The Falconets were to fly to Mauritius next week for the first leg in Saint Pierre against the Mauritius U20 girls, with the return leg scheduled for the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, 14th October.

With this situation, 2022 World Cup quarter-finalists Nigeria now progress to the next round of the qualification series.

Events

Confed Cup: Insurance players vow to beat RS Berkane for their chief motivator, Obaseki

Published

2 days ago

September 28, 2023

SMI

As Federation Cup champion, Bendel Insurance of Benin plays RS Berkane on Friday in a Caf Confederation Cup match, the players and officials said they are ready to shed blood to win for the good people and government of Edo State especially their number one supporter and motivator Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Though Insurance has a mountain to climb in the decisive leg in Morocco after they were forced to a 2-2 draw by RS Berkane at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, in the first leg on Saturday, September 16, they are confident that will beat their host and qualify for the next round of the competition.

Monday Odigie’s side will miss the services of striker Osarenkhoe Imade, who scored their opener in the first leg as well as their other goal in the last round.

The 22-year-old just penned a deal with United Arab Emirates side, United FC.

Despite missing their highest goal scorer from last season, stand-in captain and goalkeeper, Amas Obasigie, echoed the confidence of the team.

“Knowing the honour that awaits us if we beat our opponents to qualify for the group stage, we are going to fight for everything in the field of play to go home happy. We made two mistakes in Benin and will not want a repeat. We are facing very strong opponents who have been champions twice in a space of three years, but we will not allow their intimidation to affect our play. They should expect a good fight from us the way they also fought in Benin.

“Above all, we want to fight to win for our state Governor, who has been wonderful in giving his all, in sponsorship and motivation that has taken us thus far both in the domestic league and continental level,” Obasogie said.