By Victor Okoye
Abuja, May 31, 2023 (NAN) The Initiator of Mark D Ball Basketball Champion, Mr. Igoche Mark has congratulated the new president of Africa’s largest democracy, Nigeria’s leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
The Sports Administrator also paid glowing tributes to a former Nigerian Basketball Player, Ejike Ugboaja on his conferment of national honour, Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) by former president Mohammadu Buhari.
Mark in a congratulatory message he personally signed on Wednesday, praised President Tinubu’s blueprint, which he described as a “game changer” for sports transformation in the country.
The message reads, “Dear Mr.President, I have gone through your manifesto titled “Renewed Hope 2023,” your plan for sports development was weaved around training, athletes funding, sports as business and tool for national unity.
“This to me is highly commendable, because if properly implemented, it will be a Game Changer.
“The sports ecosystem has the capacity to improve the country’s GDP if things are done properly; this is when the right people are in charge of running sports, unlike the present suitation.
However, it is worthy of note to state that the issue of corruption, greed and selfishness by sports administrators have crippled the sector.
While we pledge our support to be a partner in progress, we pray for wisdom to achieve all set goals.” Mark’s message reads.
The basketball philanthropist was full of praise for his former player at Mark Mentors, Ejike Ugboaja MFR for receiving a national honour.
According to Mark, “You have become a standard for every aspiring domestic basketball player who desires to play at the biggest stage.
“From playing in our domestic league to Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA; and your exploits at the national level were never unnoticed, hence this honour.
“Congratulations as we expect others to come,”Mark stated.
The former power forward was drafted to the NBA in 2006, and became a board member of the Nigeria Basketball Federation NBBF, between 2017-2021. (NAN)
