By Abolade Ogundimu
The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has concluded arrangements to open camping for the 2017 Women Afrobasket scheduled to hold in Mali.
Ahmadu Kida, the new President of the NBBF Board, said on Friday in Abuja after his inauguration, that camping would open on Monday, July 24 in Orlando, Florida in the U.S.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 28 other Federation boards were also inaugurated by Solomon Dalung, the Minister of Youths and Sports.
According to the federation president, the camp is to prepare the athletes for the championship and ensure that the nation maintains its position on the continent.
He noted that the men’s camp would be announced at a later date.
“Arrangements have been concluded for the national women and men’s team to compete in the women and men Afrobasket Championships which will take place in Bamako, Mali.
“The women and men’s championships will hold from August 18 to August 28, while the male championship will take place between September 8 and September 14.
“Women’s camp will open on Monday in Florida, while the men’s camp will follow shortly after,” he said.
Kida noted that the past administration had been running two major competitions namely; Zenith and Kwese Leagues Women and Men Premierships.
He assured that the new board would ensure smooth conclusion of the Zenith League because it was rounding off.
Kida, however, emphasised that appropriate steps would be taken to forestall any act that could bring the game into disrepute and put the country in bad light.
He said `at the moment, this board has not received any handover note or transfer of responsibility from the former board, hence we are not aware of any liability incurred by the board,” he said.
“This board has resolved to partner with all Nigerians as well as other friends of the sport to move the game forward”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prior to the general federation elections held on June 13 in Abuja, where Kida was elected, a parallel election was held Kano, which produced Tijani Umar.
Umar was the immediate past president of the board. (NAN)
