NBBF Marketing Partner Defends Basketball Institution Deal Against Critics

Marketing firm Pamodzi Sports Marketing has strongly defended the Nigeria Basketball Federation’s (NBBF) recent partnership with a major national institution, rejecting claims that the deal was politically motivated.

In a detailed statement released Tuesday, Pamodzi dismissed allegations that the partnership was designed to extend the current NBBF board’s tenure, characterizing such claims as short-sighted and counterproductive to basketball’s development in Nigeria.

“The writer’s obsession with timing shows how myopic his thinking is. There is no best time to pursue a partnership that will benefit basketball. What matters is the deal itself, and the biggest beneficiary is the sport, not individuals or boards,” the company stated.

The marketing firm emphasized that the partnership follows proper procedures, with the involved national institution expected to respond in the first quarter of 2024. This timeline, according to Pamodzi, demonstrates the methodical nature of the arrangement rather than a rushed agreement.

Drawing from its extensive experience in sports marketing, Pamodzi highlighted its successful track record, including long-standing agreements with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that have survived multiple administrative changes. The firm also pointed to its achievements in organizing the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race, notable for being West Africa’s first road race measured by a World Athletics-accredited professional and the region’s first to receive World Athletics certification.

The company expressed concern about basketball’s historical struggles to attract substantial sponsorship, suggesting that political interference has consistently hampered the sport’s growth. “This is about basketball, pure and simple. Those who insist on dragging politics into every initiative are the ones holding the game back,” the statement concluded.

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions in Nigerian sports administration, where developmental initiatives often face scrutiny over potential political motivations.