Pamodzi Sports Marketing, the official marketing partner of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), has issued a strong rebuttal against a recent media report. The firm described the publication, which cast doubts on a significant partnership between the NBBF and a major national institution, as factually incorrect and damaging to the sport's progress in the country.
Firm Rejects Allegations of Political Motives
In a statement released on Tuesday, 26 December 2025, the company firmly dismissed the article's core claim. The report had suggested the partnership was a tactical political move designed to extend the tenure of the current NBBF board. Pamodzi labelled this allegation as "myopic, self-serving and blind to the bigger picture of basketball development."
The marketing firm argued passionately that the timing of such sponsorship agreements should not be subjected to political scrutiny. It stressed that the long-term advantages for basketball infrastructure, players, and officials far outweigh the interests of any specific administration.
Focus on Sport, Not Politics
"The writer's obsession with timing shows how myopic his thinking is," the company stated. "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."
Pamodzi went further, accusing the author of prioritising narrow political interests over the genuine growth of basketball in Nigeria. It emphasised that institutional support is a critical pillar for the sport's development, which has historically suffered from a lack of substantial sponsorship.
"Instead of reporting the sport, the writer is acting as an agent for those intent on undermining basketball's growth. His narrative is not journalism; it is a hatchet job," the statement added.
Partnership is Structured and Procedural
To counter claims of a rushed or one-sided arrangement, Pamodzi provided key details about the partnership's nature. The firm clarified that the deal is both structured and follows due process. It revealed that the involved national institution is expected to give its formal response in the first quarter of next year, demonstrating that the process is neither unilateral nor hastily concluded.
Highlighting its credibility, Pamodzi pointed to its proven track record in securing long-term sports sponsorships in Nigeria. Notably, it referenced its agreements with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which have remained active and beneficial across multiple changes in the federation's leadership.
The company also underscored its organisational expertise by citing the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race. It noted that this event was the first road race in West Africa to have its course measured by a World Athletics-accredited measurer and the first in the region to receive a prestigious World Athletics label.
"This is about basketball, pure and simple," Pamodzi concluded. "Those who insist on dragging politics into every initiative are the ones holding the game back." The firm warned that the excessive politicisation of developmental initiatives continues to be a major hindrance to progress in Nigerian basketball.
