Calls For Strong Oversight In Nigeria’s Basketball Heightens As D’Tigers Exit Afrobasket

Following the D’Tigers’ disappointing exit from the 2025 Men’s Afrobasket Championship, basketball promoter Igoche Mark has called for robust oversight from the National Sports Commission (NSC) to address what he describes as a crisis in the sport’s administration in Nigeria.

The Nigerian team faced a significant defeat against Senegal, losing 91-75 in the quarter-finals held at the Pavilhão Multiusos Arena. In the wake of this loss, Mr. Mark, the founder of the Mark D’Ball Basketball Championship, voiced his frustration about the current state of basketball governance in Nigeria.

“Enough is enough,” he declared. “I have observed from the sidelines the mismanagement of a sport that has given us so much; one that teaches discipline, perseverance, and strategic thinking. It is disheartening to witness its decline while we feel like mere spectators in this process.”

Mr. Mark lamented the absence of a functional basketball league in Nigeria for nearly a decade, a situation he believes has driven many talented players to retire early or accept unfavourable contracts abroad. “This is unacceptable in 2025, a time when basketball should be thriving as the premier sport,” he asserted.

The promoter urged the NSC to take decisive action, stating, “If the National Sports Commission is genuinely committed to developing a sustainable sporting economy, it must ensure that those who cannot handle the responsibilities of leadership step aside. It is time to stop the blame game directed at coaches and players. Enough is enough.”

Mr. Mark’s comments come at a critical juncture for Nigerian basketball, prompting calls for immediate reform to restore the sport’s former glory and ensure a brighter future for its athletes.