Ban on international basketball could cost Nigerians scholarship opportunities, says Udezue

AFA CEO, Ugo Udezue.<br />

Chairman of Anambra State Basketball Association and CEO of AFA Sports, Ugo Udezue, is worried that the Federal Government’s decision to withdraw the country from international basketball will affect the youth mostly.

Lamenting that the ban could scuttle youths’ aspiration for international educational scholarships, especially in the United States, Udezue said it would be difficult for other top basketball countries to channel their resources to groom outstanding youngsters from the country due to the ban.

He said the two-year absence from international basketball would have a ripple effect on the country even after the exit of the present Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, because Nigeria, which is Africa’s current number one nation, would lose its status due to inactivity.

“I am a typical example of the Nigerian basketball programme. I played for the junior and senior national teams, which offered me the exposure to travel to the U.S. on a basketball scholarship to complete my education at the University of Wyoming. 

“I became an accomplished sports agent, representing top NBA players globally. After many years abroad, I came back in 2015 and co-founded the African Basketball League provided the template for what is now called BAL, which is Basketball Africa League. It is now a billion-dollar business.

“Will any Nigerian youth with this two-year ban have the privilege to accomplish these achievements and benefits if the ban still continues for long?

“I made tremendous personal and financial sacrifices to develop basketball in Nigeria through ABL. The same people that claim to love basketball so much were the same people that banned such a wonderful venture. These same people that now claim to have the