Mark Mentors and Civil Defenders basketball clubs of Abuja may represent Nigeria at the 2017 FIBA Africa Club championship if Gombe Bulls and Kano Pillars Basketball clubs fail to respond to the queries issued by the federation.
In a communiqué released on Wednesday, the NBBF President Engr Musa Kida said the board is aware of the mixed reactions from Nigerians to replace Kano Pillars and Gombe Bulls basketball clubs who had earlier reported the NBBF to the National Assembly and the FIBA Africa Secretary General, Alphonse Bille.
According to the NBBF president, decisions will be taken in the interest of fairplay, respect for constituted authority and player’s motivation after some clubs defied the NBBF’s directives not to participate in the Conference 6 and National Final 8 organised by the Tijani Umar-led faction.
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“We have taken cognizance of the views by all parties to the discourse which has included phone calls, messages and advice from a large section of stakeholders at home and in the Diaspora. Kano Pillars and Gombe Bulls stand a very good chance of being picked as Nigeria’s continental representative, but the decision will be dependent on whether they reply our query or not.”
“In my last communiqué I reiterated the fact that whatever decision is taken by the NBBF will take into consideration the best interest of Nigerian players, ensuring justice and fair play with the aim of moving Nigerian basketball forward.”
The board also commended Mark Mentors of Abuja and Defenders Basketball Club both of Abuja for obeying the directives of the NBBF.
“Rivers Hoopers attended the Final 6 but did not attend the Final 8 for which it had qualified. All the Clubs were asked to explain why they violated the NBBF’s directive not to participate, but only one Club (Rivers Hoopers) wrote to explain its position,” Kids said.
“In the case of Kano Pillars, the club took it far by reporting the matter to the National Assembly as widely reported in the media which is beyond the scope of sports interest. However, till date there has been no official statement from FIBA Africa and the National Assembly which is an indication that both protests lack merit.”
November 30th remains the deadline given to the Nigeria Basketball Federation to settle all internal disputes by FIBA.
