Presidential candidate Mustapha Abdullahi don unveil grassroots development plan ahead of di October 15 Nigeria Basketball Federation elective congress for Abuja, as e promise say e go get structured pipeline from schools go senior national teams. E talk say Nigerian basketball don reach critical point wia di talent base suppose match with system wey fit produce players and officials of international standard.
Abdullahi pledge say e go establish coordinated national schools basketball programme, strengthen competitions from local government to national level, and create regional talent centres across di kontri. E propose national talent-identification and player-tracking system wey go link schools, academies, clubs, leagues and national teams. "No talented Nigerian child suppose miss opportunity because of geography, economic situation or lack of connection," e talk.
Through di DAM Foundation, Abdullahi say e don already support grassroots competitions, talent development, player welfare and sporting infrastructure, including basketball facilities for Kano and Kogi, and e pledge say e go replicate di initiative nationwide. E identify strengthening of domestic competitions as major priority, as e promise say dem go get predictable league calendar, stronger club structures, better player contracts and welfare, better venues, digital statistics and stronger broadcasting arrangements.
For national teams, Abdullahi say D'Tigers, D'Tigress and di age-grade squads suppose move from emergency preparations for international competitions to permanent development structures, wit early preparation, merit-based selection, proper welfare and long-term succession planning. E single out D'Tigress as proof of wetin Nigerian basketball fit achieve when talent get proper support.
E proposal still include nationwide audit of basketball facilities, renovation of abandoned courts, partnerships to build community courts and regional high-performance centres, and continuous training for coaches, referees, statisticians, physiotherapists and odas technical personnel. 100-day action plan go cover federation audit, national stakeholders' summit, unified competition calendar and digital registration and statistics platform.
