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Nigeria Withdraws From International Basketball Competitions

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President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the immediate withdrawal of Nigeria from all international basketball competitions for a period of two years with immediate effect.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

Dare, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ismaila Abubakar, said a committee would be set up to oversee basketball leagues in the country.

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“Following the unending crisis which has plagued and nearly crippled the development of basketball in Nigeria, President Buhari has approved the withdrawal of Nigeria from all international basketball competitions for a period of two years.

“This is with immediate effect,” he said.

The minister added that the withdrawal of Nigeria is in order to concentrate efforts by the government towards revamping the sport from the grassroots as well as domestic leagues which have become moribund.

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This will also allow for the setting up of an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to oversee the management and development of the domestic basketball leagues in Nigeria,” he said.

READ ALSO: Olympics’ Disqualification: Angry Fans Want Sports Minister Sacked

Dare also said this will further address other related issues around the development and advancement of the game in Nigeria.

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He then called on stakeholders to help sustain and stabilise the game.

“In issuing the order, the Federal Government reiterates its interest and commitment to the development of the sport of basketball in Nigeria as well as huge talents of our youth domestically in an atmosphere free of rancour and squabbles.

“Government, therefore, calls on players, officials, fans, and other stakeholders of the sport to remain calm as it embarks on far-reaching initiatives to reposition, sustain and stabilise the game of basketball.

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“This will aid in the growth and success of the sport in the long-term interest of the country,” the minister said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the basketball sport has been engulfed in leadership crisis in the last five years.

READ ALSO: Top 10 Sporting Greatest of All Times Revealed, Lionel Messi Snubbed

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Two parallel national federation board elections were held in 2017 (in Kano and Abuja) and 2022 (in Benin and Abuja), leading to the emergence of separate governing bodies.

NAN.

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EPL: Mikel Obi Reveals Why Chelsea Failed To Beat Arsenal in 1-1 Draw

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Former Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has claimed Chelsea failed to defeat Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, because of an early red card to Moises Caicedo.

The two London rivals played out a pulsating 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Caicedo was sent off in the 38th minute following a VAR check.

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READ ALSO:EPL: Why Arsenal Could Win The Title This Season – Guardiola

But it was Chelsea who took the lead after the break, thanks to Trevor Chalobah’s header.

But the Gunners equalized through Mikel Merino.

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So far this season, Chelsea have received seven red cards in 20 games across all competitions this season.

READ ALSO:EPL: Alan Smith Names Only Two Clubs To Compete For Title

That’s four red cards this season; it’s not good enough. I’ve spoken about it; the manager needs to talk with the players, because it’s costing us games as well,” Mikel Obi said on his podcast.

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“If you look at that game, if we finished with eleven men, I think we could’ve won. Maybe not easily, but comfortably, we could’ve secured a win.”

 

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EPL: Slot Reveals When Salah Will Leave For AFCON

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Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, has revealed that Mohamed Salah was “not happy” to be dropped for their 2-0 win at West Ham on Sunday.

Salah was named on the bench at the London Stadium for the Premier League fixture.

Slot took the bold decision, as he looked to arrest a poor run of form, that saw the Reds lose nine of 12 matches.

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READ ALSO:EPL: Berbatov Names Team That Can ‘Surprise’ Arsenal In Title Race

Salah was not summoned from the bench for the entire 90 minutes, as goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo sealed victory.

It was a normal reaction for a player who is good enough to play for us,” Slot said.

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“I say that mildly as he’s been so outstanding for this club and will be in the future. He wasn’t happy he wasn’t starting but he wasn’t the only one.”

READ ALSO:EPL: Man Utd Suffer Fresh Injury Blow Ahead Of Everton Clash

Salah could yet return to the starting line-up as Liverpool host Sunderland in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

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The 33-year-old will remain available for the next four matches, before he leaves to join Egypt’s squad for the African Cup of Nations.

“It’s 15 December,” Slot confirmed.

But always in these situations there is the player and the national team involved and there are always talks about what is best for all three of us.”

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Davido Reacts As Gov Adeleke Dumps PDP

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Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has reacted to the shock resignation of his uncle, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The singer kept it short but loaded, posting “Jeje… ” widely interpreted as a subtle message of calmness, quiet movement, or strategic withdrawal as the political storm around the governor intensifies.

Governor Adeleke’s resignation, though only discovered on Monday night was actually tendered on 4 November 2025, ahead of the party’s national convention in Ibadan. His aide, Olawale Rasheed, leaked the letter online, confirming the governor had walked away from the troubled party weeks ago.

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READ ALSO:Gov Adeleke Resigns From PDP

In the letter addressed to his Ward 2 chairman in Ede North, Adeleke cited the unresolved crisis at the PDP national level as the reason for quitting. He appreciated the party for backing his rise as senator and later governor.

The revelation has thrown today’s scheduled Osun 2026 governorship primary into confusion. While the state chapter announced a postponement due to factional firestorms, the National Working Committee insists the primary must hold — even though Adeleke remains the only aspirant who bought the form.

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There is growing speculation that the governor is now eyeing a second term under the Accord Party, which several of his aides are rumoured to have already infiltrated and taken over in Osun.
His earlier attempt to defect to the APC reportedly hit a brick wall, with party leaders rejecting his move.

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