On Friday, referees who were officiating the ongoing Atlantic Conference Ibadan Playoffs of the 2023 Nigeria Basketball Premier League went on strike, which led to the disruption of matches at the Centre.
According to reports by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the officials embarked on the strike due to unpaid allowances, which resulted in the stoppage of the day’s first match.
The referees claimed that they had yet to receive any payment for feeding, accommodation, and their tasks since the competition commenced on Sunday.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a referee told reporters that the umpires had been using their personal funds to run their stay in Ibadan, which was not acceptable, and they could not continue with that any more.
Many of the referees had travelled down to officiate, but the lack of payment for their allowances had resulted in them using their personal funds for feeding and accommodation.
They feared that if they continued officiating, they might end up not being paid for their services rendered.
Consequently, the referees in all the centres where the competition was being played presently agreed to go on strike.
The referees in the Atlantic Conference agreed on the strike, and those at the Asaba Centre also observed the strike.
READ ALSO: https://thecrux.org.ng/slalom-world-cup-champion-braathen-retires-at-23/
However, after the intervention of some officials of the Oyo State Basketball Association and the pleas of some players and team officials, the referees backed down and agreed to let the first match of the day take place.
The match at the indoor sports hall of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium was scheduled to start at 10 a.m., but as a result of the strike, it did not begin until 11 a.m.
The first match of the day was between Ebun Comets of Lagos and Hoops and Reads of Lagos, and Ebun Comets won the match 72-61.
According to Damola Awosika, the Vice-Chairman of Oyo State Basketball Association, the situation was unfair and not right.
The officials had been in Ibadan since Saturday and had been working for the past six days. It was inhuman for them not to receive their benefits.
CRUX NEWS reports that the day’s other scheduled matches were later played.
Oluyole Warriors beat Invaders of Ekiti 84-45, while Impressions of Delta beat Ondo Raiders 57-43.
The competition is being organised by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and will end on Saturday, after seven days of three matches daily.
Three matches are on the bill, and the top four clubs after the total number of 21 matches will progress to the next phase of the league.
