Tijani Umar, President of the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF), has called on the Federal Government to commit more funds to the promotion of basketball in the country.
Umar said adequate funding of the sport would help in the discovery of new talents in the country.
He made the call at the end of the finals of the annual Ajanah Basketball Competition in Okene, Kogi on Sunday.
Umar said there was the need for the Federal Government to promote the game the same way it has done for football, in view of its potentials.
The NBBF president said this was because the game could provide means of livelihood for unemployed youths.
“If basketball is properly funded, it is capable of creating sources of livelihood for youths,’’ he said.
Umar said members of the federation were in the state to witness the finals of the tournament as well as to appreciate the sponsor.
“This is the fourth year of this tournament being sponsored by the Chief Judge of Kogi, Justice Nasir Ajanah.
We in the NBBF leadership feel that we should come to show appreciation and to also take a look at the talents that have been built over the years.
This tournament has also brought all the local government areas in the state together, unifying them through the game of basketball.
That is why we are now in discussion with the sponsor to see the area where we can add value to the competition at the national level,” he said.
The NBBF president said he was happy with the level of growth of basketball in the country.
He said it was heart-warming that the game had been waxing stronger in the country since the London 2012 Olympics success.
“In Nigeria today, after football, the second game people watch is the game of basketball,” Umar said.
Speaking also at the occasion, the competition’s sponsor said there had been a tremendous improvement in the tournament, both in the organisation and performance of players over the last four years.
“We are achieving our aim of making sure that youths in the state are integrated into the game,” Ajanah said.
On his part, Yahaya Karaku, a Special Adviser to the state governor, Idris Wada, said the tournament was a symbol of unity among the youths in the state.
He called on individuals and corporate bodies to emulate the sponsor, who is the state’s Chief Judge, in creating avenues for youth empowerment.
