27th September, 2010
The proprietor of Dodan Warriors Basketball Club of Lagos State, Col. Sam Ahmedu (retd.), has slammed Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, for the body’s shortcomings at the just concluded DSTV/NBBF Premier League Final-Eight Playoffs.
Ahmedu, whose team lost 74-80 points to Union Bank of Lagos in the third place match, said it took the threats of clubs to pull out of the Playoffs before the NBBF paid their appearance fees. He also gave the federation a knock for not improving on the prize money for the winners.
The former Nigeria international said the NBBF did not also perform up to expectations in the area of allocating match referees. He accused some members of the league board of allegedly working against his team.
He, however, showered praises on the sponsors, DSTV and the Local Organising Committee, LOC, for packaging the best final-eight to date, adding that the LOC has set a standard that will be very difficult to beat.
“Kudos to DSTV and the LOC for doing a very good job of organising and hosting the best final-eight in the history of basketball in this country. I think the next host will need to work extra hard to meet this standard, which to me is a positive development in the game,†he noted.
Speaking on his team’s loss to Union Bank in the only match that went into over time in the Playoffs, Ahmedu disclosed that it would have been an upset if his team had won the game given the fact that Union Bank have more experience players, some of whom are playing for the national team.
He praised his youthful side for finishing fourth despite losing three of their young players to an American University a few days to the dunking off of the competition.
He said that his team will return stronger next season.