President Buhari Orders Immediate Return of Nigeria to Big International Tournament

President Buhari Orders Immediate Return of Nigeria to Big International Tournament

Ibitoye Shittu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:05 PM

Federal Government of Nigeria have made stunning U turn on their decision to suspend the country's basketball teams from participating in international competitions.

In May this year, the Federal Government decided to withdraw all the basketball teams from competing in international games due to the leadership tussle involving two groups.

Federal Government, Sports Ministry, Basketball, Buhari, ban
Jubilation in Nigeria as Federal Government reverses decision to suspend basketball. Photo by Christophe Elise
Source: Getty Images

Ismaila Abubakar who is the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Youth and Sports development made this announcement that basketball teams have been given the green light.

Ismaila Abubakar's statement on Federal Government

“The letter appealed to the Minister to use his good offices to approach President Buhari for the reversal of the 2-year withdrawal of Nigeria from international basket ball competitions.

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“The Appeal letter also critically gave some key undertakings: to immediately set in motion the process of status review or constitutional amendments from stakeholders as collated by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, to set up a high powered team to reconcile all contending parties in the basket ball family at home and abroad, and a commitment to work with the Ministry in the governance and development of basketball among other things.
“Flowing from the above and upon a review, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development approached and placed these developments before President Muhammadu Buhari being one that is committed to youth development and desirous of ensuring that they are availed of all opportunities in sports and other endeavors considered the appeal and in the overriding spirit of national interest, love for our youth, and in order to avoid sending basket development into a long period of suspension when NBBF have now committed to resolution of the issues which precipitated the withdrawal in the first place has approved the return of Nigeria to international basket ball immediately.”

Nigerian Basketball icon leads Boston Celtics to first NBA final in 12 years

Earlier, Sports Brief had reported how a former D’Tigers forward, Ime Udoka has overseen Boston Celtics’ qualification to the NBA finals for their first time in 12 years in a spectacular fashion.

Boston Celtic were in impressive form, defeating Miami Heat 100-96 in a game-seven win after they initially failed in their last five playoff runs.

They will now face Golden State Warriors in the final, with game one to hold in San Francisco scheduled to hold on Thursday.

Celtics were ahead with 17 points in the second quarter and Miami had to up their game and had reduced the lead drastically by the fourth quarter.

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Ibitoye Shittu
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