…Promises Grassroots Development,League Reforms, Commercial Sustainability
Ahead of the October 15 elective congress of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, presidential candidate Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha (DAM) has unveiled what he described as a “New Dawn” proposition for Nigerian basketball.
Addressing journalists and basketball stakeholders in Abuja, Mustapha said the election is about building a stronger institution capable of taking Nigerian basketball from potential to podium.
According to him, “That potential must now be matched with a stronger institution, sustainable investment, professional administration and a clear development pathway,”
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Mustapha, who is contesting for the top position of the federation, said he is not new to the game, citing decades of involvement as a player, youth mentor and investor through the DAM Foundation, which he said has supported grassroots competitions, player welfare and basketball facilities in Kano and Kogi States.
He outlined a seven-point agenda centred on grassroots development, domestic league reforms, technical capacity, national teams, infrastructure, commercial viability and unity.
On grassroots, Mustapha said the next generation of D’Tigers and D’Tigress are currently in schools and local courts.
He pledged to establish a coordinated national schools basketball programme, regional talent centres, and a national talent-identification and player-tracking system to create a clear pathway from schools to clubs and national teams.
Mustapha said “No talented Nigerian child should be denied an opportunity because of geography, economic circumstances or lack of connections,”
For domestic competitions, he promised a predictable calendar, proper club licensing, improved player contracts and welfare, digital statistics, better venues and stronger broadcasting to make the leagues commercially attractive.
He said the federation must also invest in coaches, referees, statisticians and other technical personnel through continuous training, certification and international exposure.
On national teams, Mustapha said the era of emergency preparations must end. He said D’Tigers, D’Tigress and age-grade teams need early preparation, merit-based selection and proper medical support.
He described the achievements of D’Tigress as proof of what is possible when talent is properly supported, adding that women’s basketball will be a major pillar of his administration.
Mustapha also announced plans for a national audit of basketball facilities, renovation of abandoned courts and establishment of regional high-performance centres.
He said the NBBF must become commercially sustainable through a professional structure focused on sponsorship, broadcasting and digital rights, merchandise, corporate partnerships and diaspora engagement.
Above all, he called for unity and transparent governance, promising that players, coaches, referees, clubs, state associations, academies and former internationals will have a meaningful role.
As part of his immediate plans, Mustapha proposed a 100-day action plan that will include an audit of the federation’s finances and programmes, a national stakeholders’ summit, a unified competition calendar, players’, coaches’, referees’ and clubs’ advisory structures, a digital registration and statistics platform, engagement with sponsors, a national facilities audit, a reconciliation programme and a four-year strategic development plan.
He commended the outgoing board and the National Sports Commission for progress made, particularly on players’ welfare, which he said remains a key concern from grassroots to national teams.
He also linked basketball development to national development, saying he wants to use the sport to connect young people and help reduce violence and banditry.
Mustapha said “I am not promising perfection. I am promising leadership that will listen, build partnerships, establish systems and measure itself by results,” stressing “The NBBF presidency should not be about personal entitlement. It should be about service.”
