Former D’Tigers coach and President of Comets Basketball Club, Ayodele Bakare, has warned Nigerian basketball stakeholders against repeating past administrative mistakes as the race for the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) board leadership heats up.
Bakare in a statement released Thursday, questioned the sudden prominence of wealthy individuals vying for the NBBF presidency, warning that short-term financial interventions should not dictate the sport’s future for another four years.
He alleged a recurring pattern where wealthy figures with minimal history in the sport step in through tournaments, clinics, and prize money before being presented as administrative saviours.
‘Do you remember the things that swayed us to settle for our outgoing NBBF Board President?’ Bakare said, describing the last eight years as the worst period in the history of Nigerian basketball administration. He added that past promises of personal financial investment failed to materialize, yielding claims of loans and refunds instead.
Acknowledging that financial incentives remain appealing due to current economic hardship, Bakare urged voters to consider long-term stability over temporary gains.
He outlined his preferred criteria for the next NBBF president, emphasizing grassroots commitment, international experience, and a background in sports administration.
‘I would rather give my support to someone who has been running grassroots programmes and supporting youth development for the past twenty-five years, than someone who has recently dazzled with a few well-placed interventions over the recent year or two,’ Bakare said.
He also advocated for leadership by former national players who understand the challenges confronting young athletes.
Warning against following a familiar script promoted by previous influencers, Bakare concluded: ‘Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me! I remember. Do you?’