Basketball Stakeholders in Nigeria have overwhelmingly endorsed the candidacy of Igoche Mark for the upcoming Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF)’s President.
Igoche Mark is the initiator of the ongoing Mark D Ball Basketball Championship in Abuja, and until recently was Proprietor of Premier League franchise, Mark Mentors Basketball Club, of Abuja.
He has been at the forefront of those championing a progressive change in the administration of Basketball in Nigeria, especially in the last four years of infighting, and underperformance of the now dissolved, Engineer Musa Kida led Board.
With his Movement; the New Face of Basketball, Mark has advocated and committed resources towards the resuscitation of the domestic component of the game, while ensuring that the welfare of the athletes at both local and international levels are scaled up to meet globally acceptable standards.
However, a former NBBF Board Member and NBA star Ejike Ugboaja who served under Musa Kida, is one of those throwing their weight behind Igoche Mark, a graduate of Political Science from the University of Abuja, because of his evidential leadership qualities, and passion for youth empowerment.
“We have a new face of Basketball and we are trying to do it ourselves now, I’m convinced Igoche Mark among other qualities, is a better team player with a sound mind and listening ear to lead a traumatised federation in dire need of healing”.
“I am in support of him 100 per cent.” Ugboaja’ who served as players’ representative in the last NBBF Board, stated.
In the same vein, the Proprietor of Hotcoal Sizzlers of Abuja, Ubon Udoh, described the qualities of Igoche Mark as exceptional.
Udoh noted that aside from initiating the Mark D Ball Basketball Championships for male and female, Mark has given so much to the game, and his quest to take the game to every part of the country, and have basketball played all-round the year is monumental.
“Igoche Mark is a giver, a person who sacrifices for the game. He has been doing this for at least 15 years and doesn’t expect anything back.
“He is always happy seeing youngsters given the platform to grow and expressed themselves.
According to Udoh, for the game to grow in Nigeria, the structures and policies must first be right, and those lacking components are the additions Mark wants to bring on and positively influence the fortunes of Basketball, in the country.
A former Basketball player, Umar Abdullahi stated that of all aspirants, Igoche Mark has all it takes to lead the Nigeria Basketball Federation, to its Eldorado
“Igoche Mark is the best man for the job; I don’t think there is anyone out there that could do it better than him. We have seen what the rest can do; we just need his top-notch ideas if we are serious about reshaping the fortunes of Nigeria Basketball.” Abdullahi stated.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has fixed January 31, 2022, for the delayed election into the Board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation.
