D’Tigress Coach Hopes NBBF Puts House In Order

Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, qualified for the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup tournament scheduled for Australia in September, despite having no training camp and arriving in Belgrade two days to the commencement of the tournament.

D’Tigress made history by beating France for the first time in history and held on to overcome rivals Mali to qualify. However, the coach of the team, Otis Hughley said in the post-match conference that things would be a lot better for the team if the divided Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) could pull together in the same direction.

NBBF currently has two presidents – Musa Kida and Igoche Mark. The division in the Federation has been affecting the team in different ways as D’Tigress basically played three matches in four days with just eight players available. Hughley was then asked what the next logical step will be for D’Tigress.

“I think it is emblematic [of the potential] of having three games in four days with eight players and one point guard, who is really a two by the way,” Hughley added.

“For them to do what they did; you know that speaks by itself. There is not a whole lot you can add to that. You are just going to be putting more icing on top of icing; the cake is already good. They will eat it for years to come.”

“It is ready. You just hope somebody doesn’t come behind to mess it up. I just pray that Nigeria pulls it together because it is really unfair to the basketball community. I think they are gonna try. They are trying to pull it together now. These girls did it despite all.”

• Read more: Nigeria Qualifies For FIBA World Cup After Mali Victory
• Read more: NBBF Electoral Congress’ deadline moved to January 30

Chidi Nwoke/Premium Times.