The Honourable Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tammy Danagogo has commended the President, Nigeria Basketball Federation, Mr. Tijani Umar for adopting modern scientific ways in the development of basketball in Nigeria.

Mallam Yakmut, who represented the Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission made the remark yesterday during the closing ceremony of the 11th Nigerian Women Basketball League sponsored by Zenith Bank Plc.

He observed that the NBF President was working round the clock to ensure that the African trophy won by Nigeria in 2014 would be successfully defended in Congo, Brazzaville this year when Nigeria’s contingent will duel with other African contenders. According to him “I wish to express the Commission’s gratitude to the President for dissipating a lot of energy in ensuring that Nigeria defends the cup won by Nigeria last year”.

The Minister also applauded Zenith Bank for ensuring the sustenance of basketball in Nigeria through its sponsorship over the years. According to him “‘Zenith Bank had been in the forefront of sponsoring the competition of basketball and like other sports in Nigeria, the sport has been a catalyst for alleviating poverty as well as eradicating vices among the youths.”

In his address, the former Director General of the Commission, Chief Patrick Ekeji commended the appointment of Mallam Alhassan Yakmut as the acting Director General and stated that with this appointment, sports development will attain its highest level. He noted that Yakmut had played the game of volleyball at the national level and has been involved in sports administration over the years. His words: “Yakmut is a very good instrument in sports”.

Chief Ekeji also noted that “basketball federation as led by Tijani Umar has been the most impressively run federation in the country.” “He has brought initiative and modern science in the running of basketball”, he added.

Speaking earlier, the President, Nigeria Basketball Federation informed that the 2nd round of the competition will take place in either Asaba or Ilorin from June 4 – 14, 2015, while the National camp for the Africa qualifiers will open in Abuja on the 10th of May, 2015.

The closing ceremony witnessed three matches among which is First Bank versus Benue Princess that First Bank won 73 as against Benue Princess 26.