THE Nigeria Basketball Federation is keen to ensure that D’Tigress are fully ready for the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Australia, the body’s President has stated.
The World Cup comes up in September and D’Tigress have been drawn in a tough-looking Group B with France, Japan, Canada, Serbia and hosts Australia.
NBBF President Musa Kida in reaction to Thursday’s draw emphasised the place of hard work and strategic preparation in D’Tigress’ success at the global tournament.
“In the last four years, we have continued to shock the world and other teams are now paying some serious attention to us. To continue on that path, we have to work extra hard to sustain the tempo,” Kida said.
The federation while stressing the importance of presenting its best effort for the tournament scheduled for 22 September to 1 October in Sydney said there is a need for robust players and early preparation.
Funding has been a touchy issue in the recent past despite the ladies’ success and in 2021 they threatened to boycott competitions if their owed entitlements were not settled.
The matter was resolved and Kida is hoping funds will be available for the NBBF’s plans this time, including the arrangement of high-class tune-up games.
He noted: “This is where the Federal Government comes in through funding. Early approval and release of funds is at the core of all our proposed plans. Preparing for such an important tournament costs money and we will be banking on the Federal Government.
“We are no longer referred to as just another team from Africa. We are now being addressed as Nigeria based on what we have achieved in the last four years which saw us winning three AfroBasket titles, back-to-back World Cup qualification and Olympics participation.”
D’Tigress, ranked 14th in the world, are the lowest rated team in their group as they seek to pick one of the four quarter-final tickets available to the six teams.
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