Oyedeji Promises Inclusive Future For Nigeria Basketball If Elected NBBF President
By Saheed Afolabi
Nigeria basketball icon, Olumide Oyedeji has declared that if elected as President in the forthcoming Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) election, he will ensure an inclusive future for grassroots players and clubs.
The NBBF election is scheduled to hold on Thursday, October 15 in Abuja and other aspirants are, AK Ubaja, Maraki Goce, and Mustafa Abdullah.
Oyedeji, who has emerged as a prominent voice ahead of the federation’s leadership election, said Nigerian basketball needs a system that gives athletes, coaches, officials, state associations and other stakeholders a meaningful role in the development of the game.
“This election must be about more than choosing an individual. It must be about choosing the future of Nigerian basketball,” Oyedeji said.
According to the former national team captain, the development of basketball must be built around inclusion and equal opportunities, particularly for young talents who lack access to the necessary resources because of their location or financial circumstances.
“The game belongs to all of us, and everyone must have a meaningful place within it.
“No talented Nigerian child should be denied the opportunity to succeed because of geography, background, connections or financial circumstances.”
Oyedeji said his position is informed by personal experience, having progressed from grassroots basketball in Ibadan to competing on some of the biggest basketball stages in the world.
“I understand the journey because I have lived it from the grassroots courts of Ibadan to the biggest basketball stages in the world.”
“I know the journey, and I am ready to build the pathway for the next generation.”
He also outlined a stakeholder driven approach to administration, promising to listen to athletes while improving the support available to coaches, officials and state associations.
“To our athletes, I will listen to you. To our coaches and officials, I will value and develop you. To our state associations, I will work with you and strengthen you. To our sponsors and partners, I will provide credibility and value.”
The former Nigeria international further revealed that his ambition goes beyond the immediate electoral contest, saying his focus is on creating structures that will continue to benefit the sport long after the current generation of administrators and players have moved on.
“I am not coming to take from basketball. I am coming to build a legacy that will outlive us all.”
