Following the intervention by concerned stakeholders, former Nigerian International basketballers, well-meaning Nigerians, and a letter of appeal by Musa Kida on behalf of the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), the decision of the Federal Government to withdraw from international basketball for two years has been rescinded.
Kida’s letter of appeal dated June 17, 2022, addressed to the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare, among other things, apologised to Mr President and the Minister over the embarrassment the issues around the game and the conduct of some of its actors have brought on the nation, appealing to him to use his good offices to approach President Buhari for the reversal of the self-imposed ban.
The appeal letter also gave key undertakings to immediately set in motion the process of the NBBF Statures review, and the reconciliation of all contending and aggrieved parties both home and abroad as well as committing to work in tandem with the Ministry.
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Following the above, and in the overriding spirit of national interest, love for the Nigerian youth and the development of the sport, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the return of Nigeria to international basketball immediately.
In giving this approval, it is noteworthy that the laws of Nigeria must be respected and not subjugated to any other law and all those leading government organisations and sports federations must know that they hold such positions in trust for Nigeria and under the supervision of the Minister of Youth and Sports.
