The Chairman, Plateau State Basketball Association Dr Livinus Miapkwap has chided the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), over its recently held Extra-Ordinary Congress, saying it is constitutionally null and void.
Dr. Miakwap made this disclosure while fielding questions from journalists on Tuesday, 12th of October, 2021 in Jos the Plateau State capital.
He reiterated the State Basketball Association’s position ahead of the proposed Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF Elections which comes up on 30th October 2021, in Benin City Edo State, Nigeria.
According to Dr. Miakwap, “The Extra-Ordinary General Congress held by Engr. Kida, was conducted in flagrant abuse of the constitution of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, so it is considered as null and void.”
“The Kida faction have not only succeeded in slowing down the development of Basketball in Nigeria, but has also killed a lot of talents and discouraged investors”, Miakwap stated.
He said he believes that if Tijani Umar is given the opportunity to serve the Federation in the Capacity of the President, the NBBF will gear towards attracting sponsorship to the body, thereby having a truly professional Basketball league and also discouraging dependency on Government for Funds.
On allegations leveled against the Engr. Kida faction by the D’Tigress, the Chairman Said, as long as it was traced from 2017 to date then he believes there is iota of truth in the allegations.
He also used the avenue to inform the general public of his ambition to contest the position of Board’s representative in North-Central Nigeria.
Dr Miakwap is very optimistic on the growth of Basketball in Plateau State and outlined his achievements in the last four years as the Chairman, notably, the recent performance of the U-17 team in Kano among others.
He graciously thanked the Executive Governor of Plateau State Rt.Hon. Simon Bako Lalong for the prompt payment of players salaries and assured the Basketball fraternity in the State of his intention to take the sport to the Grassroot by following the Agenda of the Hon. Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare to Organize Secondary School Basketball Championships across the Seventeen Local Government areas of Plateau State.