The initiator of the Mark D Ball Basketball Championship, Mark Igoche and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, have collaborated on the way forward to enhance scholarship opportunities for basketball players seeking tertiary education.
Igoche, who was at ABU to pay a courtesy visit to the institution’s vice chancellor, Professor Adamu Ahmed, discussed potential partnerships in supporting basketball development.
While emphasising the importance of combining education and sports, Igoche highlighted ABU’s exemplary role in offering scholarships to basketball players.
He said, “This university has led in terms of offering scholarships to basketball players. I am glad other universities have now started following your footsteps.”
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Igoche lauded ABU’s efforts in promoting basketball, pledging to continue supporting young players through education.
“Education remains the appropriate foundation for anyone because it helps secure the future. We see how we can increase the number of basketball players on scholarships in this great institution,” Igoche added.
Professor Ahmed appreciated Igoche’s consistent efforts in promoting basketball, saying his support for the sport cannot be underestimated.
“I appreciate you for taking the time to support basketball. You are the future; in fact, you are the present. The confusion around basketball is too much, and it’s unnecessary; basketball is more than a physical sport, there’s a big business of entertainment around it,” he said.
The vice chancellor expressed ABU’s willingness to support Igoche’s programs, citing the need for unity among stakeholders to drive basketball development.
The don added, “Let’s talk development of basketball. You can always bring your programs here and we will support you because I represent you.”
The partnership, which aims to build on ABU’s existing basketball support program by increasing the number of basketball players seeking scholarship opportunities, will also see Igoche resurrect the dream of Chief Felix Akiga of establishing a basketball academy in ABU.
