Basketball’s world governing body, FIBA has given Nigeria up till November 30, 2017 to resolve the leadership dispute in the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF or face dire consequences.
Secretary General of FIBA, Patrick Baumann, in a letter addressed to leaders of the two parties involved in the dispute, Tijjani Umar and Musa Kida instructed both parties to resolve it either through a “new election or (preferable) through amicable solution under the auspices of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, before 30 November, 2017.”
The world governing body further stressed that in the event that the dispute remains unresolved after the deadline, that the “NBBF will be subject to the possibility of sanctions, including without limitation, a suspension of the membership with FIBA.” It added that regardless of any sanctions, it will appoint a task force that will take any appropriate measures(s) in the in the interest of basketball in Nigeria.
According to Baumann, while FIBA had noted the communications by the NOC Secretary General and the sports ministry which backed the election held in Abuja, it also recognizes the fact that member federations “must maintain full control and governance of basketball in their country (based on) Article 9 of the FIBA General Statutes.”
