NBBF Cries Out Over National Stadium
Says continued lock-up of Sports Hall affects league build-up
By Pius Ayinor, 11.17.2004The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has strongly lamented over the continued lock-up of the Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos. The venue is home to the Federation secretariat, and more, home to a very high percentage of their programmes including the flagship programme- the Premier League.
The Chairman of the Technical Committee, Dr. Adamu Ahmed told THISDAYSports that the use of the indoor venue was a major point of discussion in the last meeting of the committee and would remain as such when the entire board meets next month.
"It has become indeed worrisome. By our initial calculations, we sincerely believed the repair works should have been over by now and the venue handed back to the Sports Ministry but to everyone's surprise, the case is opposite.
"We are getting in touch with the relevant authority to see how things can be made faster so that we get in there on time for our Premier League. We hold our sponsors in high esteem and we want them to have value for their cash. We want our games in standard venues and electrified atmosphere," the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria lecturer said.
The Federation is particularly worried, over the opening ceremony of the Premier League slated to have its first jump ball in January. The opening ceremony has been marked out as a high profile programme that would hold at a scale never in the history of Nigerian basketball. The Lagos based teams have used the venue for their home games since the league began in 1994. The venue also serves as choice home for the play off matches.
The Federation moved out of that venue for games when the repair contractors took hold of the place by the last quarter of 2003 but by December the contractors moved out of site while locking up the hall. THISDAY checks proved that even though the synthetic floor has been laid, work was yet to be carried out on such major area as the roof. Up till date, the roof is still leaking as it was before the expatriate contractors arrived venue. The dressing rooms and toilets are worse for it while the dismantled lighting system is yet to be restored.
- CAF Challenges Rangers’ Confederations Cup Claims
11.18.2004 18:27 - A’Ibom Schools Fiesta Thrills Mobil
11.18.2004 18:26 - Minister’s Special Assistant Removed
11.18.2004 18:24 - Minister’s Special Assistant Removed
11.18.2004 18:24 - Chukwumerije, Others Storm Lagos
11.18.2004 18:22 - Portsmouth Ready to Offload Aiyegbeni
11.17.2004 22:20 - S/Africa Finally End 12-Year Eagles Jinx
11.17.2004 22:20 - Kwara United Fans Want Saraki to Probe Aide
11.17.2004 22:18 - Okpomo at Sportscity, Begins Journey Home
11.17.2004 22:17 - Top Runners Invade Lagos for MTN Marathon
11.17.2004 22:16
