Bello Inuwa Sambo: Driving the Transformation of Basketball in Adamawa State
On August 7th, 2024, Bello Inuwa Sambo was officially appointed as the Chairman of the Adamawa State Basketball Association by the Adamawa State Sports Council. This appointment recognized his longstanding passion and notable contributions to the growth and development of basketball in Adamawa State and Nigeria at large.
Recognizing the urgency to revolutionize the sport in the state, Chairman Bello Inuwa Sambo hit the ground running with a clear and ambitious vision to elevate basketball in Adamawa to new heights. His leadership has already begun to yield impressive results, with several key achievements recorded under his watch.
Since his assumption of office, Adamawa State has risen to a dominant position among states in the Northeast region. The state has consistently outperformed its peers in virtually every tournament and competition it has participated in, signaling a new era of basketball excellence.
Under Sambo’s leadership, the Adamawa State Basketball Team clinched the “Be Happy Basketball Championship” in Bauchi—twice, a feat the team had never achieved in recent memory. This not only showcased the team’s competitive strength but also reinforced its growing reputation.
Adamawa qualified through the zonal playoffs held in Yobe State to represent the North East in the recently concluded National Sports Festival tagged OGUN 2025. This national spotlight further solidified the state’s emerging status as a basketball powerhouse.
Adamawa secured qualification for the NBBF National Division Two Championships, held in Maiduguri. This participation marked a significant step forward and demonstrated the result-oriented leadership of Chairman Sambo.
One of the hallmarks of Sambo’s tenure has been unity and development through collaboration. By working closely with key stakeholders and adopting an inclusive leadership style, he has successfully unified players across the state, fostering a cohesive and structured basketball community.
Basketball’s rising popularity across Adamawa can be directly traced to the grassroots support fueled by Sambo’s aggressive campaigns and sensitization strategies. His commitment to discovering and nurturing young talent, particularly in local communities, has brought new energy to the sport. The distribution of kits, including canvases and training equipment, has further enhanced participation.
Sambo’s impact has extended to infrastructure development. Notably, he spearheaded the renovation of the basketball court at Gen. Murtala Mohammed College, Yola, significantly improving training conditions and player performance across the state.
Bello Inuwa Sambo’s unwavering commitment and strategic leadership have transformed basketball in Adamawa State. His efforts continue to inspire growth, foster unity, and place the state firmly on Nigeria’s national basketball map. As his tenure progresses, the foundation he has laid promises a bright and sustained future for the sport in the state.
