SPORTS
Ugboaja, Udoh, Morrison Endorse Igoche Mark for NBBF President
By Orkula Shaagee, Abuja
Basketball Stakeholders at the ongoing Mark D Ball Championships have overwhelmingly endorsed the candidacy of Igoche Mark for the Presidency of the upcoming Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).
Igoche Mark is the initiator of Mark D Ball Basketball Championship, and until recently was Proprietor of Premier League franchise, Mark Mentors Basketball Club, of Abuja.
The young sportpreneur has been in the forefront of those championing a progressive change in the administration of Basketball in Nigeria, especially in the last four years of infighting, and underperformance of the now dissolved, Musa Kida led Board.
With his Movement; the New Face of Basketball, Mark has advocated and committed resources towards the resuscitation of the domestic component of the game, while ensuring that the welfare of the athletes at both local and international level is scaled up to meet globally acceptable standards.
A former NBBF Board Member, Ejike Ugboaja who served under Musa Kida, is one of those throwing their weight of support in favour of Igoche Mark, a graduate of Political Science from the University of Abuja, because of his evident leadership qualities, and passion for youth empowerment.
“We have a new face of Basketball and we are trying to do it ourselves now, I’m convinced Igoche Mark among other qualities, is a better team player with a sound mind and listening ear to lead a traumatised federation in dire need of healing.
“I am in support of him 100 percent,” Ugboaja’ who served as players’ representative in the last NBBF Board stated.
Similarly, Proprietor of Hotcoal Sizzlers of Abuja, Ubon Udoh, described the qualities of Igoche Mark as exceptional.
Udoh noted that aside initiating the Mark D Ball Basketball Championships for men and women, Mark has given so much to the game, and his quest to take the game to every part of the country, and have basketball played all round the year is monumental.
“Igoche Mark is a giver, a person who sacrifices for the game. He has been doing this for at least 15 years, and doesn’t expect anything back.
He just gives, and is always happy seeing youngsters given the platform to grow, and express themselves.
According to Udoh, for the game to grow in Nigeria, the structures and policies must first be right, and those lacking components are the additions Mark wants to bring on and positively influence the fortunes of Basketball, in the country.
“The honest truth is that we need such person in leadership, not just in Basketball but all sphares of the country,” Udoh said.
Another Stakeholder, and Chairman of the Kaduna State Basketball Association, Pastor Scambo Morrison pointed out that with the feat achieved by Igoche Mark, the Basketball family in Nigeria needs not to look elsewhere for a leader.
“Without any gainsaying, he is an embodiment of a breath of fresh air; good innovations, creativity, good ambience and good atmosphere for basketball. What else do we need?” Morrison queried.
A former Basketball player, Umar Abdullahi recanted the track records of other aspirants, and concluded thst Igoche Mark has all it takes to lead the Nigeria Basketball Federation, going forward.
“Igoche Mark is the best man for the job, I don’t think there is anyone out there that could do it better than him. We have seen what the rest can do; we just need his top notch ideas if we are serious about reshaping the fortunes of Nigeria Basketball,” Abdullahi stated.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has fixed January 31, 2022 for the delayed election into the Board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation.
The finals of Gov. Peter Mbah Secondary Schools Games, on Thursday began in Enugu with the arrival and accreditation of athletes at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu.
Dan Onwuegbuna, Director, Information, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Enugu State, said in a statement on Thursday that the games would be held between Aug.
7 and Aug. 10 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and the Enugu State Sports Council.“The games is designed to help the state discover talents to represent the state at the forthcoming U15 National Youth Games scheduled to take place in Asaba, Delta, from Aug. 26 to Sept. 6,” he stated.
Onwuegbuna said that apart from representing the state at the Youth Games in Asaba, talented athletes discovered would represent the state in other competitions.
He quoted the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu as thanking Gov. Peter Mbah for approving the games.
Onwuegbuna said that the games was made possible following the collaboration between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the state Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB).
The games finals followed the outcome of the inter- Secondary Schools competitions held at the local government areas in the six Educational Zones in the State – Enugu, Agbani, Awgu, Udi, Nsukka and Udenu.
“The games will feature athletics, boxing, chess, basketball, volleyball, football, tennis and scrabble,” Onwuegbuna stated.
Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has been nominated for the 2025 Women’s Yachine Trophy, the Ballon d’Or award for the best female goalkeeper.
The 24-year-old recently joined Brighton Women FC from Paris FC after helping the French side win their first major title in nearly two decades.
Nnadozie delivered a heroic performance in the final of the 2025 Coupe de France Féminine, where Paris FC edged Paris Saint-Germain 5-4 on penalties following a goalless draw at Stade de l’Épopée in Calais.She was also instrumental in Nigeria’s success at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where the Super Falcons secured a record-extending 10th continental crown against host nation, Morocco.
Her standout displays earned her the Best Goalkeeper award and a place in the Team of the Tournament.
Other nominees for the Yachine Trophy include Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC), Cata Coll (Barcelona Femeni), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea Women) and Daphne van Domselaar (Arsenal Women).
Nigeria’s Super Falcons maintained 36th position in the latest FIFA women’s world ranking.
The latest ranking was released on FIFA’s official website yesterday.
While the Super Falcons remain the number one team in Africa, WAFCON 2024 runners-up Morocco are third on the continent and dropped to 64th spot in the world.
Former WAFCON champions Banyana Banyana of South Africa maintained 54th place in the world and second in Africa.
Ghana’s Black Queens who claimed third place at the WAFCON dropped to 67th position in the global ranking.
The Super Falcons recently won their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after coming from 2-0 down to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final.
Second half goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi and substitute Jennifer Echegini completed the turnaround.
Okoronkwo, scored a goal and provided two assists against the Moroccans was Named Player of the Match.
Chiamaka Nnadozie was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament while Captain Rasheedat Ajibade won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
Meanwhile, World champions Spain (1st, up 1) had an impressive run to the final of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 with five back-to-back wins, which was enough to see them reclaim top spot in the ranking, a position they previously held from December 2023 to June 2024.
The USA (2nd, down 1) have therefore been knocked off their perch, which they had occupied since August 2024.
However, three convincing home wins in friendlies during this period have kept the USA in contention, and they are now sitting less than two points behind Spain.
The top 10 has been shaken up completely since the June edition of the ranking, with France (6th, up 4) performing best among them.
France completed a flawless group stage at the European Championship before falling to Germany in the quarter-finals.
The next edition of the Women’s World Ranking will be published on 11 December 2025.
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