Igoche Mark Decries 10-Year League Absence, Calls for Reform in Nigerian Basketball

Igoche Mark Decries 10-Year League Absence, Calls for Reform in Nigerian Basketball

By Admin 

Basketball promoter and founder of the Mark D’Ball Basketball Championship, Mr. Igoche Mark, has condemned the state of basketball administration in Nigeria following the D’Tigers’ elimination from the 2025 Men’s Afrobasket Championship, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Nigeria crashed out after a 91–75 defeat to Senegal in the quarter-finals at the Pavilhão Multiusos Arena in Luanda, Angola — a result that continued Senegal’s recent dominance over the D’Tigers.

Reacting after the match, Mark described the persistent decline of Nigerian basketball as the product of poor leadership and technical shortcomings in its management.

“Enough is enough,” he said. “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 remain mere spectators, often dismissed as bystanders.”

Mark highlighted the absence of a functional domestic basketball league for nearly a decade, noting its devastating impact on players.

“Many of our players have been forced into early retirement, while others are compelled to accept unfavorable contracts abroad. This is unacceptable in 2025, when basketball should be thriving as one of our premier sports,” he stressed.

He further urged the National Sports Commission (NSC) to take decisive action by instituting stronger oversight and ensuring accountability in the sport’s governance.

“If the NSC is truly committed to building a sustainable sporting economy, it must ensure that those incapable of handling leadership responsibilities step aside. The endless blame game targeting coaches and players must stop. Enough is enough,” Mark declared.