Former D'Tigers player and Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) presidential aspirant Ejike Ugboaja don call for transparent and inclusive election, say di federation constitution no suppose change anyhow to shortchange any aspirant. Ugboaja become di first player wey NBA draft from Nigerian Premier League for 2006.
As e dey tok about why e wan contest for NBBF presidency, Ugboaja express concern about di crisis and factional division wey don affect Nigerian basketball for many years. E argue say stakeholders, especially former players and pipo wey get real experience for di game, deserve fair chance to take part.
"Di constitution no suppose be sometin wey pipo go use take control di process or decide who go participate," e tok. "This one na basketball. Make di pipo wey dey play basketball and sabi di game, make dem handle am."
Ugboaja still maintain say im ambition no be say e wan fight anybody. "I no dey run because I wan fight anybody or bring back wetin don pass. Wetin don pass don pass," e tok. "I wan make we move forward, bring everybody together, and develop basketball."
Di former D'Tigers star say im experience for Nigerian league don show am di challenges wey athletes dey face, including say playing chances no plenty and league season too short. E dey advocate for Premier League wey go last at least eight months, plus make dem strong basketball programmes for secondary schools and universities. "We sabi di missing pieces. Make we fix dem," Ugboaja tok.
