Time for Change: Igoche Mark Sounds Alarm On NBBF Election

A prominent basketball stakeholder, Igoche Mark has praised Nigeria’s recent sports achievements, citing the successful hosting of Continental African Association (CAA) tournaments and the 1st West Africa para-sport events in Abeokuta.

‎He commended the National Sports Commission (NSC) for steering sports development in the right direction, noting that increased activities are providing Nigerian athletes with much-needed platforms to grow and excel.

Mark expressed gratitude to the Commission for its initiatives, saying, “I want to thank the Commission for the strides so far. We are seeing progress, and I look forward to more events that will give our athletes the exposure and experience they need.”

‎”Looking ahead to the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) elections, Mark expressed hope that the Commission would ensure a transparent and credible process. He stressed that Nigerian basketball requires a “total overhaul” to move forward and that new leadership is essential for meaningful growth.

‎”He criticised the current state of the domestic basketball league, describing it as an “abridged league” that falls short of properly nurturing talent. He argued that without a full, competitive league structure and strong grassroots programmes, Nigeria’s basketball potential will continue to be underutilised.

“If given the opportunity, Mark’s priority would be grassroots development, a structured talent adaptation system, and transparent administration. He believes a well-organized league supported by a robust grassroots foundation would strengthen domestic basketball and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness on the continental and global stage.

Remarks reflect growing calls from basketball stakeholders for comprehensive reform, particularly in governance, league structure, grassroots development, and talent identification. The upcoming NBBF elections are widely viewed as a crucial turning point for the future of Nigerian basketball, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for reforms that will produce lasting opportunities for players and drive sustainable growth in the sport.