The Director-General, National Sports Commission, Mallam Alhassan Yakmut has expressed displeasure over the unsettled rift ravaging the Nigerian Basketball Federation for almost a year and called on the basketball family to gear up towards its resolution.  According him, “having a case in court for a year is a disservice to Nigerian youths who are eager to play the game of basketball.  I think the game of basketball should be restricted to the basketball court and not the conventional court”.

Mallam Yakmut who presided over the meeting called for the reconciliation of the warring factions in Abuja today, remarked that despite the absence of some board members at the meeting, parties have agreed to abide by decisions reached at the meeting, through the apologies they sent.

He also noted the haphazard manner in which non-governmental organisations, and some federations juxtapose programmes without confirming if such events were in the sporting itinerary of the federations for the year.  The Director-General therefore directed the Director, Federation of Elite Athletes Department (FEAD) to develop checklists for the federations which would be subjected to amendment depending on the timeline of such events.  He further directed that sponsors and NGOs be allowed unfettered access to such checklists to ensure adherence and follow-up.

The Director General disclosed that the essence of ensuring that the basketball family is on the same page is to ensure that Nigerian youths are given the opportunity to showcase their talents and excel in the game.  He recalled that the highest Nigerian paid sports person is an American-based basketball player.

Mallam Yakmut mandated all federations to ensure that all board members be carried along in all activities, while urging them to develop an e-communication system where every member could easily be reached at short notice.  He noted that information, communication and technology (ICT) is a fundamental right of every board member.

In his response, the President of the Basketball Federation, Tijjani Umar commended the efforts of the Director General in bringing every basketball board member under one roof in order to forge ahead for the benefit of the game and the teeming Nigerian youth enthusiasts.  He assured the Director General that every board member would be given their due as stipulated in the basketball guidelines.