The Patron of the Mark D Basketball Championship, Mr. Igoche Mark, has pledged unwavering support to Mak Town Flyer—as the reigning national champions prepare to represent Nigeria in the upcoming Basketball Africa League (BAL). Mark made the commitment on Monday during a reception held in Abuja in honour of the team.Mak Town Flyer, formerly known as Lagos Legends Basketball Club, recently secured the national title, earning them the opportunity to compete on the continental stage. Addressing the players and management, Mark assured that the team would receive every resource necessary to excel at the BAL.“ Your victory now is just the beginning; more victories will come,” he said. “I have been with you on this journey, and there is a bigger battle ahead—the BAL. One thing I can assure you is that our support will not end here. Everything needed to have an excellent outing in the BAL will be provided.”
Mark commended the team’s resilience and expressed confidence in their ability to compete successfully at the continental level. He also praised the club’s proprietor, Akerannan Manusseh Achii, a former Mark Mentos player, for his leadership and motivation, which he said played a crucial role in the team’s rise to national prominence.“From the onset, he was determined,” Mark noted. “His ability to motivate the team brought them this far. The same way you entered this league and conquered is the same way you will go to the BAL and excel. I have faith that you will achieve a great result.”
In his remarks, Achii recounted the challenges the team faced ahead of the championship. He revealed that he acquired the team just two and a half weeks before the league began, leaving little time to assemble players or secure funding and logistics.“It was a tedious journey,” Achii said. “I bought the team just two and a half weeks before the league started. Getting players, funding, and logistics—everything was tough. But I’m grateful to God and the players.”The Abuja reception attracted key basketball stakeholders across Nigeria, underscoring the significance of Mak Town Flyer’s achievement. Among the attendees were FIBA Zone 3 President Col. Sam Ahmed (rtd); NBBF North Central Representative Adamu Adeshi; Rear Admiral Hamza Ibrahim; NTA Sports 24 General Manager Kayode Adeniyi; Osita Nwanchukwu; Engr. Frank Jituboh; Scott Nnaji; and NDA Abu, among others.With Igoche Mark’s strong pledge of support, Mak Town Flyer now looks ahead to the Basketball Africa League with renewed confidence. The team hopes to make a historic impact and lift Nigeria’s profile on the continental basketball stage.
