ADVERTISEMENT
Saturday, January 28, 2023
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
Involve Africa
  • Home
  • All African News
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Entertainment News
    • Travel
    • Tourism
    • Arts
  • Finance
    • Food & Agriculture
    • Business & Economy
  • Crypto News
  • Energy & Environment
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All African News
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Entertainment News
    • Travel
    • Tourism
    • Arts
  • Finance
    • Food & Agriculture
    • Business & Economy
  • Crypto News
  • Energy & Environment
No Result
View All Result
Involve Africa
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Home All African News

Nigerian officials deny Ujiri claims of ‘robbing youth’ of basketball

Involve Africa by Involve Africa
June 16, 2022
in All African News
0
Nigerian officials deny Ujiri claims of ‘robbing youth’ of basketball
585
SHARES
3.2k
VIEWS
https://web.facebook.com/involveafricanews?_rdc=1&https://twitter.com/involveafricanews


Masai Ujiri

The vice-president of the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) says the head of the 2019 NBA champions was “misinformed” when he accused the body of robbing the nation’s youth of basketball and tearing the sport apart.

You might also like

Dakar 2 Summit: Development partners to commit $30 billion to boost food production in Africa | African Development Bank

Elephants promote jumbo trees, boosting the carbon stores in Africa’s forests

Africa Live: US raid in Somalia kills top Islamic State leader

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri expressed his feelings earlier this month in an open letter published days after it was confirmed that Nigeria will miss the Women’s Basketball World Cup.

Mali have replaced Nigeria at the tournament in Australia later this year after the Nigerian government’s decision in May to withdraw from international basketball for two years.

“If Masai had all the facts, he would not make such conclusions,” Ogunade told BBC Sport Africa. “I communicate regularly with Masai, it is possible he has been misinformed. Mr Ujiri is entitled to his opinion.”

“The Minister and his co-travellers in the Ministry [of Sports] are the ones manufacturing the crisis.”

In response, the ministry has said that the decision to pull out of international basketball came from Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari himself.

In his letter of 5 June, Nigerian-Canadian Ujiri had stated that “enough is enough”.

“From the Ministry of Sports to the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF), the leaders of the basketball ecosystem in Nigeria continue to rob our youth of their present and future while tearing the entire basketball community apart – this needs to stop,” he wrote.

“This (withdrawal) is a symptom of an issue that has permeated the sports ecosystem for years.

“When leaders put self interest over national interest, the innocent suffer. It’s time for them to step aside, for the good of the game, the nation, and the athletes.”

When asked to respond to the NBBF’s claim that the sports ministry was to blame, a special adviser to the Minister of Sports Sunday Dare said the decision about withdrawing ultimately lay with President Buhari.

“The Minister did not give an instruction on his own,” Toyin Ibitoye said.

“The instruction is from the President and facts were presented before that decision was taken.”

Basketball’s world governing body Fiba has already pointed out that the impact of the withdrawal will last even longer than the initial two years.

Nigeria ‘has to be nationalistic’ in approach

Nigeria women in action during a Women's World Cup qualifying game
Nigeria women have won the past three African titles, but have been withdrawn from competing at the World Cup this year

Ujiri claimed that Nigeria is stuck in a damaging cycle, failing to invest properly to allow its sides to perform on the international stage.

Players from D’Tigress, the women’s national side, have been locked in a dispute with the NBBF and sports ministry over the non-payment of bonuses and organisational issues encountered during the Olympics Games in Japan.

The issue also affected the salary of head coach Otis Hughley.

“Nigeria has traditionally treated sports as purely recreational, not for what it is – a serious business and a tool for nation-building and economic transformation,” Ujiri, 51, said.

“But we all know the drill; a tournament is coming, we hear there is no money, people scramble to put money together. Tournament commences and athletes are treated carelessly. Tournament ends, athletes are angry, government releases money at a later date.

“No accountability or transparency on how much was released and how it was spent. And the truth is that we’re not just speaking about basketball here.

“The time for change is now. I know all athletes, leaders and stakeholders in African sport will not give up on Nigerian basketball, and we will not give up on the youth.”

However, Ibitoye, the special advisor to Dare, argued the Ministry of Sports was taking a holistic approach to improve the standard of basketball in the country.

“We have to be nationalistic in our thinking, of the game in Nigeria as a whole,” he said.

“It may be doing well in international competitions, but you ask yourself, at what cost?

“It is important for us to focus on the development of the game at home, create an environment that will make it to thrive so that your child and my child in Nigeria can aspire to the top.

“The quality of players abroad and the quality of players we raise in Nigeria will almost be at par when we create that kind of environment. That’s the nationalistic thinking we have to put up.”

A global impact

Precious Achiuwa in action for the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors’ Precious Achiuwa was born in Nigeria and moved to the US where his basketball career began

Ujiri believes that it is not just Nigeria that will suffer from the country’s withdrawal, but the global basketball community as well.

“We all know Nigeria is teeming with talent. The country has made leaps and bounds in basketball and has risen to the top,” he added.

“The opening of an NBA office in Nigeria further signifies the country’s importance in the global basketball ecosystem.

“Even international governing sports body Fiba has openly acknowledged its importance on the global sports scene, yet at times, they have stood on the sidelines making a mockery of the situation. Fiba Africa has also contributed to this drama.”

Fiba Africa did not have a comment in reply to the statement by Ujiri, who also said administrators around Africa do not have the the necessary passion and understanding of the sports they are running.

“Individuals don’t understand what it means to play for the team,” he explained.

“This will drive patriotic Nigerian athletes to play for other countries. It’s not right. It’s not fair.”

The government withdrawal from all international basketball came after a protracted leadership crisis for control of the NBBF.

The problems began in 2017 when Musa Kida and then-incumbent Tijani Umar emerged as leaders of two factions claiming control of the NBBF after two separate elections.

Issues have continued despite Kida being re-elected as NBBF president in January, a result which was ratified by Fiba in March.

Ujiri says the only way for things to change in Nigeria is for those in power and those claiming to be in power to quit.

“It’s time for us to move forward. We need a new slate and a new narrative,” he urged.

“To do this, all of the leaders that have held on to the realms of the Nigerian Basketball Federation for the past several years must all step down.”



Source_link

Previous Post

How to hurt Peter Obi’s chances – The Sun Nigeria

Next Post

8. Maldives – Exotic Honeymoon Destination – Explore journey

Involve Africa

Involve Africa

Related Posts

Dakar 2 Summit: Development partners to commit $30 billion to boost food production in Africa | African Development Bank
All African News

Dakar 2 Summit: Development partners to commit $30 billion to boost food production in Africa | African Development Bank

by Involve Africa
January 28, 2023
Elephants promote jumbo trees, boosting the carbon stores in Africa’s forests
All African News

Elephants promote jumbo trees, boosting the carbon stores in Africa’s forests

by Involve Africa
January 27, 2023
Africa Live: US raid in Somalia kills top Islamic State leader
All African News

Africa Live: US raid in Somalia kills top Islamic State leader

by Involve Africa
January 27, 2023
Smithsonian leaders discover Buffalo’s African-American history
All African News

Smithsonian leaders discover Buffalo’s African-American history

by Involve Africa
January 27, 2023
South Africa v England: Jofra Archer return headlines one-day series
All African News

South Africa v England: Jofra Archer return headlines one-day series

by Involve Africa
January 26, 2023
Next Post
8. Maldives – Exotic Honeymoon Destination – Explore journey

8. Maldives – Exotic Honeymoon Destination – Explore journey

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

’90 Day Fiancé’s Angela Deem Destroys Husband Michael’s Car After He Rejects Her Visit!

’90 Day Fiancé’s Angela Deem Destroys Husband Michael’s Car After He Rejects Her Visit!

September 28, 2022
HN World Panel: Most Impactful Megatrend?

HN World Panel: Most Impactful Megatrend?

July 16, 2022

Categories

  • All African News
  • Arts
  • Business & Economy
  • Crypto News
  • Energy & Environment
  • Entertainment News
  • Finance
  • Food & Agriculture
  • News Videos
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Tourism
  • Travel

Don't miss it

Dakar 2 Summit: Development partners to commit $30 billion to boost food production in Africa | African Development Bank
All African News

Dakar 2 Summit: Development partners to commit $30 billion to boost food production in Africa | African Development Bank

January 28, 2023
5 awesome game lodges near Gauteng
Tourism

5 awesome game lodges near Gauteng

January 28, 2023
No Insurance? Here’s How To Get Cheap or Free Eye Exam and Prescription Glasses
Finance

No Insurance? Here’s How To Get Cheap or Free Eye Exam and Prescription Glasses

January 28, 2023
Astar launches new HRMP channels with Equilibrium
Crypto News

Astar launches new HRMP channels with Equilibrium

January 28, 2023
Photos from Everything We Know About Ted Lasso Season 3
Entertainment News

Photos from Everything We Know About Ted Lasso Season 3

January 28, 2023
14 Very Best Places In Provence To Visit – Hand Luggage Only
Travel

14 Very Best Places In Provence To Visit – Hand Luggage Only

January 27, 2023

Social Bar

Welcome to involve Africa The goal of involve Africa is to give you the absolute best news sources for any topic! Our topics are carefully curated and constantly updated as we know the web moves fast so we try to as well.

Categories

  • All African News
  • Arts
  • Business & Economy
  • Crypto News
  • Energy & Environment
  • Entertainment News
  • Finance
  • Food & Agriculture
  • News Videos
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Tourism
  • Travel

Site Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Recent News

Dakar 2 Summit: Development partners to commit $30 billion to boost food production in Africa | African Development Bank

Dakar 2 Summit: Development partners to commit $30 billion to boost food production in Africa | African Development Bank

January 28, 2023
5 awesome game lodges near Gauteng

5 awesome game lodges near Gauteng

January 28, 2023

INVOLVEAFRICA.COM

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All African News
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Entertainment News
    • Travel
    • Tourism
    • Arts
  • Finance
    • Food & Agriculture
    • Business & Economy
  • Crypto News
  • Energy & Environment

INVOLVEAFRICA.COM

What Are Cookies
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT