May 12, 2022
Nigerian teams will not participate in any international Basketball competition for the next two years. This is as a result of an approval given by the Federal Government for the immediate withdrawal of Nigeria from all international basketball competitions with immediate effect.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development; Sunday Akin Dare disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Abuja earlier today (thursday).
The Minister, represented by Ismaila Abubakar, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, said a committee would be set up to oversee basketball leagues in the country.
“Following the unending crisis which have plagued and nearly crippled the development of basketball in Nigeria, President Buhari has approved the withdrawal of Nigeria from all international basketball competitions for a period of two years.
“This is with immediate effect,” he said.
The minister added that the withdrawal of Nigeria is in order to concentrate efforts by government towards revamping the sport from the grassroots as well as domestic leagues which have become moribund.
“This will also allow for the setting up of an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to oversee the management and development of the domestic basketball leagues in Nigeria,”
September 27, 2021
Nigeria’s women basketball team D’Tigress have once again emerged Champions after defeating Mali 59-70 in the final of 2021 FIBA AfroBasket Championship which took place at Multipurpose Sports Complex, Yaounde, Cameroon.
D’Tigress had a good start to the first quarter against Mali, interestingly Victoria Macaulay made a Game-High 13pts, as she made 3/3 of her 3pt shots.
D’Tigress did not taking anything to chance as they finished the first quarter leading Mali by 11pts.
It took some time for Nigeria to find the bucket in the second quarter, but when they did it was back-to-back. Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah made a layup, and Ezinne Kalu followed it up with a steal to assist Promise Amukamara.
Mali came back into the game after outshooting Nigeria in the 2nd quarter by 13-9. However D’Tigress went into the break leading Mali by 7pts. at Half time it stood Mali 24 -31 Nigeria.
D’Tigress went into a 10pt lead after Ezinne Kalu converted her two free throws, and at the other end, Victoria Macaulay blocked a shot.
Nigeria had an Outstanding 3rd quarter as they outhustled the Malians and showed great resolve pulling away with a 20pt lead, outshooting their opponents 26-13.
D’Tigress won two of the four quarters 11-22, 13-19, 14-28, 21-11.
This is the Fifth win for the D’Tigress of Nigeria at the FIBA Afrobasket, the third in a row since winning in 2017 and 2019.
