By Goodluck Ikiebe.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Youth and Sports Development on Monday suspended the 2021 Elective Congress of the Nigeria Basketball Federation slated to hold in Benin, Edo State.
The suspension according to the ministry is necessary to avert further deteriorating leadership crisis hitting the Federation.
This is contained in a statement on Monday in Abuja and signed by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Sports, Ismaila Abubakar available to Journalists.
He said: “Having reviewed the crisis around the Nigeria Basketball and in consideration of several attempts by the supervising Ministry to solve the lingering crisis and fractionalization in the basketball family, the Federal Ministry of Sports hereby directs an indefinite suspension of the Elective Congress of the NBBF scheduled for October 30, 2021 in Benin City.”
The Permanent Secretary added that “all concerned stakeholders are expected to take note and comply.”
“The decision is necessary to avert further deteriorating leadership crisis and towards finding a workable solution to the current disagreement within the Federation.
“The rancour-free development of basketball is of utmost importance.
“The recent elections of the NBBF that is, NAWIS, Military/paramilitary etc stands and those elected therefrom remained members-elect.” Abubakar said.
Our Correspondent gathered that NBBF has set up the Electoral Committee and invitations sent out to international bodies of the game to monitor the elections, scheduled for Edo State next Saturday before the indefinite suspension of the exercise.
The statement from the ministry has put on hold for the Elective Congress.
