Kano Pillars and Gombe Bulls that qualified to represent Nigeria in the 2017 FIBA Africa Zone 3 Qualifiers have threatened to take legal action against the Musa Kida-led faction over its purported move to deny them their tickets.
In separate letters written to FIBA Africa, the two clubs, noted with dismay that the Kida-led faction of the NBBF in connivance with the President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, Sam Ahmedu were trying to replace them with their favoured team who failed to honour the final round of the Kwese Premier Basketball League.
The clubs in the letter copied to the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Sport, said it was time the continental body waded into the crisis for the good of the game in the country.
The letters signed by Ibrahim Sa’ad, Chairman of Gombe Bulls and Bashir Bello, Secretary of Kano Pillars, noted in their petition that it was unfortunate Kida and his group were doing everything within their reach to jeopardise the future prospect of the players who merited their qualifications.
The clubs said their position was necessitated by the fact that they have been kept in the dark on their participation in the Zone 3 qualifiers billed to hold in Nigeria from 19-29 October 2017.
” As you might been aware by now, Kano Pillars Basketball Club has successfully defended its title by winning this year’s Kwese Premier League in Kano on 9th September, 2017.This by tradition and standard has qualified our team to represent Nigeria in FIBA Africa Zone 3 qualifiers. Few weeks to the championship, we remained worried that to date, neither the Zone nor the Federation has informed us of the details.
“More disturbing and surprising to us is the story going round that the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) is considering nominating teams outside the two finalists to participate in the zonal qualifiers. This, if confirmed we find unacceptable and clear violation of the laid down criteria of participation in your programmes.
“It is our considered opinion that the earlier your esteemed organization put a stop to this charade, the better. We believe that bringing the ongoing leadership crisis into the game will jeopardise the future prospect of players who have no business in the faceoff,” Bashir Bello stated in Kano Pillars’ letter to the continental body.
Gombe on their part, stated ” Gombe Bulls Basketball Club’s Management want to draw your attention that up till this moment none of the two qualifiers are officially informed about the zonal elimination, scheduled for 19-29 October 2017 in Nigeria.
” We find this a deliberate attempt by Sam Ahmedu the President Zone 3, to rope our hard earned achievements into the protracted NBBF crisis which is under adjudication by FIBA World.
“It is therefore pertinent to inform you that we would not accept this flagrant manoeuvres being orchestrated by their faction and we will definitely take all necessary actions including legal litigations to secure and protect our mandate,” Ibrahim Sa’ad noted.
