From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
The recent attack allegedly unleashed on Mr. Kelechi Anosike, the Chairman Nigeria Basketball Association (NBA), Imo State chapter by former Nigerian NBA Stars.has been condemned by various stakeholders of the game.
The attack was allegedly hatched and perpetrated by Messrs Osita Nwachukwu and Julius Nwosu last Saturday at the Basketball Court of the Imo State Sports Commission, Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri.
According to an eyewitness account, Mr. Eugene Okpara, the accused persons were also accused of stopping the finals of the State League organized by the Chairman, threatening that nobody will play in the court.
Okpara informed that the ugly incident happened after the accused ended their camp in Abuja on Wednesday, only to stop one of the efforts been made to uplift the game in the state.
“They also threatened that no player will play in the upcoming camp for kids in Secondary Schools in Imo State beginning on Tuesday.
“The two USA based former National team players, threatened the Chairman of the Association in the presence of players and officials of the commission for daring to address players at the court last Friday evening” he revealed.
It’s pertinent to recall that the two former NBA players have been alleged to have fought a bitter war in the last few years to unseat the Chairman probably due to his perceived support to the President of the Nigeria Basketball Association(NBA), Engr. Musa Kida in the last election of the Association held in Benin City about three years ago.
The eyewitness lamented that some of the players have equally accused them of using all manners of people in the recent past just to ensure they unseat the State Chairman, who in the last three years before the approval to constitute the Sports Association in the State has remained the only Association standing by the tape of program.
Meanwhile, the State Chairman has called on Imo State government, Federal Ministry of Sports, Nigeria Basketball Federation and FIBA to take immediate action and investigate the matter so that the culprits will face the needed disciplinary actions.
