A Campaign Built Around One Word: Unity
Basketball promoter Igoche Mark has declared that healing divisions within Nigerian basketball will be his first priority if elected president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).
Speaking with journalists in Abuja over the weekend, Mark said the sport must first achieve internal unity before meaningful development can take place.
“The first thing I will do when elected as president of NBBF is to unite the house,” he said.
“We must come together because a house divided against itself cannot stand.”
Nigeria’s Global Talent — But A Divided Structure
Mark argued that Nigerian basketball already commands enormous global respect, with players and professionals making an impact across leagues and administrative ecosystems worldwide.
However, he said the sport’s domestic structure must match that international success.
“Every individual in this sport has something unique to offer,” he said.
“There’s no place you go to in the world without seeing a Nigerian doing exploits in the basketball ecosystem.”
Turning Global Success Into Local Development
Beyond reconciliation, the NBBF aspirant stressed the need to intentionally develop the game within Nigeria.
According to him, building stronger domestic structures would allow the country’s deep pool of talent to thrive locally rather than solely abroad.
“We must be intentional by channeling all our energy to positively develop the game at home,” he said.
“That responsibility falls on me when elected as president of NBBF.”
Experience Debate Enters The Race
Responding to critics who argue that he lacks the experience required to lead the federation, Mark dismissed the claims and insisted leadership in sports administration is a collective responsibility.
He noted that the federation operates through a governing board rather than a single individual.
“Opportunity must first be presented to an individual before experience is gained,” he said.
“Running a federation like the NBBF is not a one-man affair but by a board.”
Mark added that the argument about experience does not logically hold, particularly given the evolving nature of the current leadership race.
The Stakes For Nigerian Basketball
The next leadership of the Nigeria Basketball Federation will inherit a sport with enormous international visibility but recurring governance tensions at home.
How successfully the next administration can unify stakeholders, rebuild trust and align development structures could shape the trajectory of Nigerian basketball for years to come.
For Mark, the message at the centre of his campaign remains simple: unity first.
