• Gives February 28 deadline
By Joe Apu
Following the resolution of the FIBA Central Board at its meeting over the weekend of December 9, 2017, the basketball world ruling body has set up a delegation to visit Nigeria early January 2018 on a fact finding mission.
In addition to its fact finding mission that would culminate in them preparing a report which it will submit to FIBA’s Executive Committee for its consideration at its next meeting billed for March 10, 2018, FIBA Central Board also exceptionally granted an extension until the end of February 2018 to find a solution.
FIBA Secretary General, Patrick Bauman had in a letter dated 12th of December, 2017 to the Secretary General of the NBBF, Chimezie Asiegbu stated that the new line of action is to give the delegation time to do its job.
Making reference to an earlier letter dated 26th, July 2017, FIBA through its Secretary General announced a further extension of the deadline till February 28, 2018, after reviewing and analysing documentation sent to it by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) before the November 30 deadline earlier given. Simon Wilkinson, Communications Coordinator of FIBA is a reply to Daily Sun Sports inquiry stated same.
FIBA’s Central Board had met for the third and final time in 2017 last Saturday at the House of Basketball but kept mum on the issue of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF with regards to the June 13th, 2017 elections. “To be clear, FIBA has not given recognition to either of the elections that were held in June 2017 in the name of the Nigerian Basketball Federation.
However, while the issue is pending, FIBA is solely communicating with the NBBF through the following persons: Mr Ahmadu Musa Kida, Mr Babatunde Ogunade and Chimezie Asiegbu.
Queries about any organisational matters regarding national leagues and national teams should be directed to the people above.”