Basketball is ‘a way out of poverty’

Ajibarede Bello, technical commissioner for the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), says basketball offers an opportunity to address poverty “at the grassroots”.

He told NAN in Abuja on Friday in Abuja that other sports, if properly funded, could also bring glory to the country and asked the government to “diversify” sport.

Nigeria is the current African basketball champion following the victory of D’Tigers at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Afro Basketball Companionship in August in Tunisia.

Bello said: “Other sports, aside from football, can bring glory to this country; for instance, Nigeria is currently the African champion in basketball following the victory of D’Tigers at the FIBA Afro basketball Championship.

“So, I believe that with more support, the team will definitely go places at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

“What we actually want is for government to address the issue of inadequate funding to various sports in the country.”

He said for very many youths in the grassroots, “basketball is a way out of poverty”.

“It can create opportunities if they practice enough to become good at it and already,” Bello said.

“We have so many young people aspiring to play college basketball abroad, including in the European, Asian or South America league, and even the NBA.

“We already have a few international basketball players in all of these leagues who are helping to mentor these youths, but we need more.”

He said lack of funds was affecting sectors and implored all stakeholders to come to the rescue of other sports in the country.

“There is no money to successfully run other sports like the basketball; so I am appealing to all stakeholders to come to our rescue to ensure development of these sports to international standard,’’ Bello said.