Basketball
NIGERIA’S BASKETBALL BOSS, KIDA GETS GENERAL ASSEMBLY’S VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
The General Assembly of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has passed a Vote of Confidence on Ahmadu Musa Kida as President of NBBF following the laudable achievements recorded under his watch since taking over in 2017.
The Annual General Assembly, which had 28 out of 36 states, and the FCT in attendance unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the NBBF alongside the board of the NBBF.
The Assembly which had the Nigerian Sports, Solomon Dalung, FIBA representative, Hesham EL- Hariri and the Nigeria Olympic Committee 2nd Vice President, Francis Orbih in attendance, appreciated the achievements recorded by the NBBF Board in the last 1 and half years.
The delegates highlighted Afrobasket Women’s Basketball championship triumph in Mali in 2017, the Afrobasket silver medal winning feat of the D’Tigers as well as the exploits of D’tigress at the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Spain where the Team set an African record by reaching the Quarter Finals for the first time.
They reckoned that such achievements which also included D’Tigers qualification for the FIBA Men’s World Cup in China as well as the successful hosting of the World Cup Africa Zone Qualifiers 3rd and 4th window could not have been possible without Kida’s quality leadership.
The Assembly urged the Board not to relent in its effort to see that Basketball is well grounded in Nigeria while expressing optimism that the domestic league will soon become a thing of pride.
FIBA, through its representative, EL- Hariri praised the NBBF for putting together a successful Annual General Assembly.
The FIBA Africa Zone 5 President and member of FIBA Africa Central Board stressed that he was in Nigeria on the directive of FIBA to observe and convey FIBA’s total support which is a confirmation and approval of the Annual General Assembly.
Meanwhile, the Assembly considered the Draft NBBF Statutes, received contributions from the accredited delegates and after a thorough review unanimously approved, ratified and adopted the Statutes which is to be called: The NBBF Statutes 2019.
The Assembly also unanimously approved the 2019 NBBF program of activities as presented by the NBBF board while also approving the NBBF 2017 and 2018 Audited Financial Report.
Kida thanked all the delegates for believing in the leadership of the NBBF as it repositions Basketball in Nigeria for stability, sustainable growth and development. The NBBF President assured that the Board will not betray the confidence reposed in it.
The sixth edition of the annual women’s basketball championship organised in honour of the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Dr Daniel Olukoya, and his wife, Dr Shade Olukoya, will climax with the grand finale on Wednesday, July 15, at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The championship forms part of activities marking the birthday celebration of the influential couple and has grown into one of the notable events on Nigeria’s women’s basketball calendar.
According to a press release signed by Godwin Enakhena, the Director of Sports, MFM, the tournament continues to serve as a platform for showcasing elite female basketball talent, attracting some of the best players from across Africa.
The competition has become a significant avenue for promoting women’s participation in sports while providing opportunities for players to display their skills at a high level.
Now in its sixth edition, the championship has steadily gained prominence, reflecting MFM’s longstanding commitment to sports development and youth empowerment.
Over the years, the church has played a pivotal role in nurturing talent through its various sporting programmes and clubs, particularly in basketball and athletics.
The 2026 edition is expected to culminate in a keenly contested final, bringing together top women’s teams from Nigeria in a celebration of sporting excellence and the enduring contributions of Dr Daniel Olukoya and Dr Shade Olukoya to both spiritual and community development.
The championship’s grand finale is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, with basketball enthusiasts expected to witness another memorable chapter in a competition that has become a fitting tribute to the Olukoyas’ impact on sports and society.
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SportyTV has secured a three-year agreement to broadcast NBA games free-to-air across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa, in a move expected to widen access to basketball on the continent.
The deal will see SportyTV air selected NBA games and special events on its free television platform from next season through September 2028.
The partnership begins this Thursday with Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons. For the remainder of the current season, SportyTV will show eight playoff and NBA Finals games.
Beginning next season, the broadcaster will offer a wider package that includes weekly NBA Saturday games, NBA Christmas Day fixtures, NBA All-Star Weekend programming, selected Play-In Tournament games and extensive playoff coverage, including the NBA Finals.
Vice President of Media, Marketing and Business Development at Sporty Group, Elias Gallego, said the agreement was designed to make NBA content more accessible to African audiences.
“There’s a difference between content being available and it being accessible. This deal closes that gap with NBA games, across mobile, smart TVs, and digital platforms, built around how people actually watch today,” Gallego said.
Fans across the four countries will have the opportunity to watch some of the NBA’s biggest stars, including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The coverage will also spotlight players with African roots and connections, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid.
Apart from live games, SportyTV will broadcast daily highlights, classic NBA content and historic matchups featuring legendary figures like Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo.
The addition of the NBA further strengthens SportyTV’s basketball portfolio, which already includes coverage of the Euroleague.
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By Ugo Okeiyi, Enugu
The end-of-year Ozobz Elite Basketball Invitational Tournament, tagged “Championing the Youth Through Sports, Education and Opportunity,” has taken off and will be concluded on Friday. The three-day event is taking place at the Indoor Sports Multipurpose Gymnasium, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
The grassroots basketball competition is designed to serve as a platform for discovering and nurturing the next generation of Nigerian basketball talent.
A total of 14 teams — eight male and six female sides drawn from across the country — are competing for honours in what promises to be an exciting three-day basketball spectacle.
The tournament is powered by the Anthony Ozubuekwe Foundation, in collaboration with the Enugu State Ministry for Youth and Sports Development and the Enugu State Basketball Association.
Organisers say fans should expect high-quality action, with displays of skill, athleticism and tactical awareness from some of the most promising young players in the country.
According to the organisers, the initiative is structured to positively engage young people, steering them away from social vices and criminal tendencies, while using sports as a tool for education, personal development and opportunity creation.
They added that the tournament will also give coaches and team officials a valuable opportunity to assess the mental readiness, discipline and competitive mindset of the players, while providing a conducive environment for athletes to interact, bond and learn from one another.
The competition will be played in a round-robin format, with attractive prize money on offer. In the men’s category, the champions will receive ₦2 million and a giant trophy, while the runners-up will earn ₦1.5 million.
In the women’s category, the winning team will go home with ₦1.5 million, while the second-placed team will receive ₦750,000.
With its blend of competition, youth empowerment and community development, the Ozobz Elite Basketball Invitational is expected to be one of the standout grassroots sports events of the year in Enugu State.
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