Igoche canvasses for revival of Nigerian basketball league

Basketball promoter and initiator of the Mark D’Ball Basketball Championship, Mark Igoche, has called for the revival of Nigeria’s traditional basketball league structure that once featured home-and-away fixtures, a full-season calendar and clear progression to the playoffs.

Igoche stated this at a reception he organised in Abuja in honour of Mak Town Flyer (formerly Lagos Legends Basketball Club), who emerged as champions of the 2025 NBBF abridged league, defeating Rivers Hoopers 74-72 in a thrilling Final 4 decider in Port Harcourt last month.

While expressing happiness seeing a club owned by his former player, Akerannan Manusseh Achii, emerge as champions of the NBBF despite all odds, Igoche lauded the club’s proprietor, Achii, a former Mark Mentos player, for his determination and motivational prowess to motivate the team to victory.

He said, “We’re not asking for the moon. We only want what we used to have. Our league once ran for months with home and away games before the Final Eight. Bringing that system back is key to growing basketball in Nigeria.

“These boys came together barely a year ago and have achieved what many established teams could not. Beating the defending champions on their home court shows true grit and promise.

“They have done something that has never been done before. Many didn’t expect them to come this far, but they proved everyone wrong. I have faith in them. By the time they get to the BAL, they will make Nigeria proud and set the best record we’ve ever had.”

He, however, promised to provide all necessary support to the team as they prepare to represent Nigeria in the Basketball Africa League (BAL).

“Your victory now is just the beginning; more victories will come. I have been with you on this journey. There is a bigger battle ahead, the BAL, and one thing I can assure you is that our support won’t end here; everything needed to have an excellent outing in BAL will be provided.”

The owner of Mark Town Flyers, Akerannan Manusseh Achii, shared the emotional and challenging journey that transformed the team, formerly Lagos Legends, into national champions.

“It was a tedious journey,” he said. “I bought the team just two and a half weeks before the league started. Getting players, funding, logistics—everything was tough. But I’m grateful to God and the players for this victory.”

Achii, in his remarks, spoke on the challenges the team passed through and emerged as champions against all expectations.

He said, “It was a tedious journey. I bought the team just two and a half weeks before the league started. Getting players, funding, logistics, everything was tough. But I’m grateful to God and the players for this victory.”

Stakeholders in Nigerian basketball, such as FIBA Zone 3 President, Colonel Sam Ahmedu (rtd), NBBF North Central Representative, Adamu Adeshi, Rear Admiral Hazma Ibrahim, NTA Sports 24 General Manager, Mr Kayode Adeniyi, among others, attended the event.

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