Basketball: Your comments are not mathematical – FNS tells Segun Odegbami

By Lateef Adekola

Former Nigeria international footballer, Segun Odegbami, has been advised to desist from further fanning the ambers of discord and disunity in Nigerian sports, particularly, in basketball.

This warning was contained in a statement released by Friends of Nigeria Sports (FNS), a group of sport journalists, stakeholders and enthusiasts. The statement was a swift reaction to Odegbami’s opinion, albeit an indictment of the basketball world governing body FIBA as a bias body. And also disregarding the NBBF election in Benin.

” Let’s take Odegbami’s opinion carefully. He intentionally mentioned that basketball was practically dead in Nigeria, as the national team does not have a single player from the domestic league going to the Olympic. He didn’t not explain reasons behind the inability of Kida’s led NBBF to organise the domestic league for over 3 years.

“It was a fact the NBBF was stopped by a court injunction from organising the domestic league. It is sad also that Odegbami, did not tell Nigerians the unsavoury roles he played in crisis, including withdrawing players of First Bank female basketball team from the national team.

” He should stop deceiving Nigerians and misusing his media clout to push the destructive agendas of a few selfish and self-aggrandising individuals who are bent of killing the game in Nigeria. Every genuine sports lover and particularly, followers of basketball knew there was only one constitutionally organised NBBF and that it was held in Benin, Edo State.

” It is also wrong and misleading from him to continue to state that there are two factional presidents, even when it was widely reported in the media that FIBA was represented at the Benin election. The game cannot be in a quandary for the next 4 years because Engr. Musa Kida is the duly elected president of NBBF.”

The statement signed by FNS’ spokesperson, Asiwaju Akeem Busari, further stated that the basketball community are aware of Odegbami’s biased position and contributions in the induced crisis that have rocked the NBBF since 2017.

” Yes, we agree that Odegbami is entitled to his opinions, but he shouldn’t use his vantage position, especially on the government media to play the devil’s advocate. It is uncharitable and truly inimical to the development of sports in Nigeria.”