Sound Sultan: How The Singer Contributed To The Development Of Basketball In Nigeria

The singer, Sound Sultan, died after battling Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a throat cancer on July 11. Incidentally,  he died the same day the Nigerian Basketball team stunned the US team in an exhibition match. Nigeria became the first Sub-Saharan country to defeat the United States in a basketball game with this historic victory.

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Unbeknownst to most, the 44-year-old entertainer was an ardent basketball fan and promoter. His love of basketball was widely known. He aggressively promoted the sport in Lagos and Nigeria. The award-winning musician previously played basketball for the Dodan Warriors, a professional basketball club based in Lagos. He did everything in the game except become a pro. But Sultan didn’t stop there; he went on to find new ways to promote the sport in the country.

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When the opportunity came to take ownership of a basketball club of his own and fulfill a lingering dream, Sound Sultan spared no effort. In September 2014, the equally experienced basketballer partnered with investors to purchase shares in the Lagos Islanders basketball team, assuming ownership. Taking a look back at how it started and the timeliness of owning the Islanders club, Fasasi said: “I played Basketball from 1991 till date. I was the basketball team captain of my secondary school and even my university, that’s the kind of prominent role I’ve always played, so for me right now it’s not out of place that I now invest in the game.

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He was also a co-owner of the Lagos City Stars Basketball Club, a professional basketball team based in Lagos. This occurred following the demise of the African Basketball League. To do so, he partnered with the Continental Basketball League’s organizers to become the team’s owner. The team won the championship in 2017. The lifelong fan used his brand to attract other celebrities and fans to watch live games. Basketball Is Popular In Nigeria Darey, Tee Billz, Ikechukwu, Dr Sid, Jimmie, and Vector were among the entertainers who attended Sound Sultan’s ‘Face-Off’ event in November 2015, which was a creative blend of basketball, music, dance, and all-around entertainment. Born on November 27, 1976 in Jos, Plateau State to the Fasasi family, Sound Sultan was an award-winning rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, comedian, recording artist, UN peace Ambassador and Oxfam Ambassador for Africa, and businessman.

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He was buried on Sunday (the same day he died) in New Jersey, USA, according to Muslim rites, amid tears and tributes. Before their exhibition game against Australia, the Nigerian national basketball team, D’Tigers, wore a shirt with a picture of the music legend and observed a one-minute silence in his honour.  basketball In Nigeria  

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