The Federal Government on Thursday, May 12, announced the withdrawal of their national teams from all international basketball competitions for a period of two years. According to a statement by Sunday Dare, the Nigerian Minister of Sports said the decision was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, due to crises that have characterised the countrys basketball in the recent past. “Following the unending crisis which have plagued and nearly crippled the development of basketball in Nigeria, President Buhari has approved the withdrawal of Nigeria from all international basketball competitions for a period of two years. This is with immediate effect,” he said. According to the Ministry, the self-imposed ban is aimed at helping Nigeria to focus their efforts towards revamping the sport of basketball, building it from the grassroots, and improving their domestic leagues. “This will also allow for the setting up of an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to oversee the management and development of the domestic basketball leagues in Nigeria,” he said. Dare also stressed the government’s interest and commitment to the development of the sport of Basketball in Nigeria as well as huge talents of our youth domestically in an atmosphere that is free of rancour and squabbles. He called on players, officials, fans, and other stakeholders of the sport to remain calm as the government embarks on far-reaching initiatives to reposition, sustain and stabilize the game of Basketball for growth and success in the long-term interest of the country.
