Gombe Bulls, Kano Pillars cry out over ‘plot to exclude them’ from FIBA Zone 3 Qualifiers

Gombe Bulls and Kano Pillars have threatened to sue the Musa Kida faction of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) over an alleged plan to exclude them from partaking in the 2017 FIBA Africa Zone 3 qualifiers.

The clubs, in separate letters to the executive director, FIBA Africa, said the NBBF in connivance with the president of FIBA Africa Zone 3, Sam Ahmedu, were trying to replace them with teams that failed to take part in the final round of the Kwese Premier League.

The clubs called on the continental body to wade into the crisis for the good of the game in the country.

The letters were signed by Ibrahim Sa’ad for Gombe Bulls and Bashir Bello on behalf of Kano Pillars.

The clubs said they have been kept in the dark on their participation in the Zone 3 qualifiers billed to hold in Nigeria from October 19 to 29.

Kano Pillars, in its letter, said it “successfully defended its title by winning this year’s Kwese Premier League in Kano on 9th September 2017.

“This by tradition and standard has qualified our team to represent Nigeria in FIBA Africa Zone 3 qualifiers.

“Few weeks to the championship, we remained worried that to date, neither the Zone nor the Federation has informed us of the details.

“More disturbing and surprising to us is the story going round that the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) is considering nominating teams outside the two finalists to participate in the zonal qualifiers.

“This, if confirmed we find unacceptable and clear violation of the laid down criteria for participation in your programmes.

“It is our considered opinion that the earlier your esteemed organization put a stop to this charade, the better.

“We believe that bringing the ongoing leadership crisis into the game will jeopardise the future prospect of players who have no business in the faceoff,” Bello stated in Kano Pillars’ letter to the continental body.

Gombe on its part, said: “Gombe Bulls Basketball club’s management want to draw your attention that up till this moment none of the two qualifiers are officially informed about the zonal elimination, scheduled for 19-29 October 2017 in Nigeria.”

“We find this a deliberate attempt by Sam Ahmedu the President Zone 3, to rope our hard earned achievements into the protracted NBBF crisis which is under adjudication by FIBA World.

“It is therefore pertinent to inform you that we would not accept this flagrant manoeuvres being orchestrated by their faction and we will definitely take all necessary actions including legal litigations to secure and protect our mandate.”