By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Lagos – Musa Kida, President Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), on Wednesday said the development of basketball at the grassroots to elite league would be sustained in his tenure.
Kida said this on the sidelines of a one-day stakeholders’ meeting held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that basketball had come of age in Nigeria, that it was time to introduce credible ideas that would bring lasting development.
“Part of the changes is the National Division One and Two, which will dunk off later in the month.
“The league will involve no fewer than 75 teams respectively, with the target of having more games to play.’’
He said that this was going to be different from what used to exist, where a handful of teams played for just a week, and two teams progress to the elite division.
“A major aspect of the changes that will occur has to do with National Division One and Two, where more games are going to come up, this will make the league more competitive.
“The Premier league also would have more teams than the usual 16 teams because of teams coming from the lower division.
“There is going to be medical facilities on ground and medical check up for players, to ensure their health status before they get into the courts to play.
“There would also be coaches and referees clinics, most importantly there would also be training for would be table officials, to enhance the quality of the league,’’ Kida said.
Kida said that the development of basketball was the concern of everyone, adding that he welcomed anyone that will bring positive development to the system.
He explained that the ongoing Kwese Basketball League, which was being run by Tijani Umar, former NBBF President, was allowed to continue because of his passion for youth development through basketball.
“We know about the ongoing Kwese Basketball League across the nation, which is being run by the former president, we have allowed it to continue for peace and progress.
“However, as the board saddled with the responsibility of organising National Leagues, we are in talks with the sponsors of the Zenith Bank Women’s League and the Kwese Premier League.
NAN reports that several issues and concerns like insurance for players were brought up at the meeting.
The stakeholders meeting would continue in Abuja on May 18, to allow chairmen of state associations, coaches and players in the Savanah Region to participate. (NAN)