FIBA threatens to ban Nigeria over NBBF crisis

Central Board to review case November 18
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has given Nigeria until November 30 to hold election into the board of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) or face a ban.

The world basketball governing body has vowed not to recognise any event that is organised by the sports ministry.

Nigerian basketball has been in serious crisis over who controls the federation. This situation forced the NBBF election to be put on hold, when other sports federation elections were held on September 30.

A letter from FIBA addressed to NBBF President, Musa Kida, made available to The Guardian, said: “On 26 October 2021, FIBA received a letter from the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development informing about the postponement of the Nigeria Basketball Federation’s (NBBF) Elective Congress, initially scheduled to take place on 30 October
2021.

“On 5 November 2021, FIBA received a copy of a communication from the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development of Nigeria, assuming the organisational responsibilities of the NBBF Premier Basketball League

“On 9 November 2021, FIBA received a copy of a communication from the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development of Nigeria related to their assumption of duties for the participation of the Nigeria national team during the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers.

The FIBA letter, which the President of Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC), Habu Gumel, was copied, further reads: “As you are aware, under Article 9.7 of the FIBA’s General Statutes, National Member Federations (NMF) must manage their affairs independently without the influence of third parties, and ensure that their officials are elected or appointed under a democratic process.

“Also, Article 9.1. a. requires NMFs to “maintain full control and governance of basketball in their country, including without limitation, control over their national competitions.

“Please be advised that FIBA will not recognise any competition or result that stems from an event not controlled by the NBBF. Furthermore, as per our letter of 2 November 2021 to the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, FIBA expects that the NBBF celebrates its Electoral Congress no later than 30 November 2021.

“The current situation will be brought to the attention of FIBA’s Central Board in its next meeting on November 18, 2021, to determine any other course of action as per FIBA’s General
Statutes and Internal Regulations.”

It was learnt that Nigeria might be banned from participating in the fast approaching FIBA World Cup qualifiers, if election into the board of NBBF did not hold on or before November 30.

When he was contacted on telephone to speak on the issue yesterday, the NOC President, Gumel told The Guardian: “If you want us to discuss anything on NBBF, come and meet me in the office tomorrow (today).”