Abridged League, not healthy for basketball – Former NBBF board member, Nwachukwu

The Nigeria Basketball Federation, (NBBF) Premier League which has been abridged for three years in a row has come under heavy knock from the proprietor of Novena Basketball Heartland Club Owerri and Novena Queens Abakiliki, Osita Nwachukwu

Nwachukwu, a former NBBF board member says the abridged League is not good for the growth of the slam and dunk game in Nigeria.

“For how many seasons now, we’ve been running a 12 day league in Nigeria and every body is comfortable with it. No promotion, no relegation, what a country,” the former University of Wisconsin forward lamented.

In the last three years, the Nigeria Basketball Federation has not been able to stage the second tier League; the Division One but managed to conclude the 2022-2023 Division Two League.

“Currently there is no major investment in the game and there is no return on investment. When you look at the space of basketball in Nigeria, it’s basically nothing. What you do is out of love and passion for the game.”

The former 6’8” forward Nwachukwu, explained that the current league format cannot give Nigeria a solid representation at the international space.
On how the game will improve, he advocated having a regular season, getting the first and second divisions of the leagues working, construction of standard venues for all League games, harmonize calendar and transfer system and policy and also set acceptable, international and equally attainable standard for clubs, which must include; Standard camping facilities, modern and reliable transportation arrangement for teams, good medical personnel and equipment, employing certified coaching staff and media unit, financial base of at least N50 million, effective communication unit, website and other social media handles and that clubs should be duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with an active board and management structure

“I’m telling you the truth, this idea will work any day, anywhere and anytime. When I was there, this were some of the type of ideas we came up with. I said, these things can be done.”

He stated that the NBBF is focusing on the national teams to the detriment of the domestic league.

“We should encourage people that have the resources to do these things and do it the right way as it’s supposed to be done. Then you will see results instead of putting sentiments in between.”

“Private initiatives have been keeping the game of basketball alive in the country in the past four years and these arrangements can’t be the solution to driving and accelerating the growth of the game in Nigeria,” Nwachukwu emphasized.

The Imo State born former D’Tigers player strongly believes that if effectively run in the country, basketball has the capacity to attract huge financial investment and transform the sporting landscape of Nigeria.

“There are people that want to run basketball the right way. We have people that know how to do it and they have the resources to do it. Instead they try to clog up the system and try to deter them from coming in and doing it.”

Osita Nwachukwu, who is also the CEO Novena Group of companies that include Novena Energy Limited, Novena Motors and Novena Sports stressed that, he’s out to add value to Basketball and Sport, not only in Nigeria but also for Africa.
“I came out now to set standard with the male and female teams. I’m setting up not just a team but a well oiled one. We have a suitable camp, a reliable transportation, medical staff, strong financial base, good communication unit and contract for the players.

It’s noteworthy to state that, since the 2017 election into the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation and the 2021 poll, corporate bodies have shied away from the sport, leaving the fragile NBBF board with little or no financial power to run its programs.

In a related development, Novena Heartland Basketball Club and 15 other clubs are participating in the Chief of Defence Staff Basketball Championship in Abuja.

Armed Forces, FCT Hard Rockers, Bauchi Nets, Gilali, Plateau Peaks, Kada Stars, Kano Pillars, Niger Potters, Dodan Warriors, Gombe Bulls, Gboko City Chiefs, Rivers Hoopers, Defenders, Maktown Flyers and Kwara Falcons are the other teams in the invitational competition.

The sixteen teams are drawn from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.