By Aderonke Ojo
Renowned basketball promoter, Igoche Mark, has initiated discussions with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) aimed at strengthening scholarship opportunities for basketball players pursuing tertiary education.
This formed the basis of a courtesy visit by Mr. Mark, initiator of the Mark D Ball Basketball Championship, to the Vice Chancellor of the University, Adamu Ahmed, where modalities for partnership and institutional support for basketball development were explored.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Mark emphasized the importance of combining education with sports development, while commending ABU for its leadership role.
“This university has led in terms of offering scholarships to basketball players.
“ I am glad other universities have now started following your footsteps,” he said, citing Nile University as one of the institutions replicating the model.
He further expressed appreciation for the University’s commitment to sports and reaffirmed his vision to expand opportunities for young athletes.
“Education remains the appropriate foundation for anyone because it helps secure the future.
“ We are looking at ways to increase the number of basketball players on scholarships in this great institution,” Mark said.
In his response, Professor Ahmed commended Mr. Mark’s sustained contributions to basketball development in Nigeria, describing his efforts as both timely and impactful.
“I appreciate you for taking time to support basketball. You are the future in fact, you are the present.
“ The confusion around basketball is too much and unnecessary; basketball is more than a physical sport; it is a big business within the entertainment industry,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor also reiterated the University’s readiness to support collaborative initiatives aimed at advancing the sport.
“Let us focus on the development of basketball. You can always bring your programmes here, and we will support you because I represent you,” Professor Ahmed assured.
The proposed collaboration is expected to build on ABU’s existing framework for supporting basketball by increasing the number of student-athletes benefiting from scholarships.
It also aligns with ongoing efforts to revive the vision of Felix Akiga for the establishment of a basketball academy within the University.
