BY ISAAC AFOLABI
Relevant stakeholders have advocated quick resumption of the Nigeria premier basketball league which has been put on hold for three years.
They observed that lack of activities had negatively affected the overall growth of the dunk and slam game in Nigeria.
For three years now the game of basketball which is also referred to as the dunk and slam sport has been on suspension as the domestic league has not been able to dunk off due to some pending litigations in courts .
The senior national teams have however been making waves on the international scene with the help of Nigerian players playing in foreign clubs
This development which has lingered for a while has led to the innability of the women and men league to dunk off despite the sponsorship deals facilitated to finance the league.
Speaking to Positive fm, a former national coach and a member of the Nigeria basketball federation NBBF Andrew Isokpehi appealed to aggrieved members to drop all litigations in the overall interest and development of the game domestically.
On his part , a one time chairman Ondo state basketball association Mr Segun Ikuesan said the development would have negative effect on teams who might have to compete at the continental championship and would also discourage private owners from sponsoring teams in the country.
Mr Ikuesan further explained that aside the economic gains lost to the current situation , ,the game had enaged a lot of youths who earn from it to support their families .
In this regard ,Captain , Ondo state male basketball team Olabode James appealed for a quick resumption of the league.
The players are eager to have actions resume accros various sports centers and that the whole basketball family would key to the goobal slogan of the game which says WE ARE BASKETBALL.