Afrobasket: Nigeria’s D’Tigers withdraw from playoffs

THE Nigeria senior male basketball team, From Tigers, would be not participate In THE FIBA Afrobasket Qualifications that begin In Tunisia on Friday.

According to has A press statement issued Wednesday night by THE Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), lack of funds has prepare THE team For THE tournament was THE chief reason For THE the team withdrawal.

THE Federation said he was LEFT with No other option due has THE inability of THE Federal Ministry of Sports Development has provide necessary funds For THE qualifiers.

This embarrassing And disappointing situation come on THE heels of THE recent heroic treatment granted Nigeria senior soccer team, THE Great Eagles, For finishing second has THE Africa Cup of Nations.

In trouble through THE years

THE ETFs complained that In recent times, THE female And male national basketball teams to have not had THE best In preparations For major continental And global championships due has THE perennial lack of funds.

He said THE "financial burden of ensure national teams participate In these tournaments » had has been to have personally taken up by THE President of FBNB, Moussa Kida.

He added that M Kida had Again has be refunded THE billion of Naira he spent has secure THE participation of THE miscellaneous national teams In THE pass international championships.

This time, THE statement said, M Kida "East unable has increase more funds For THE last national assignment," as THE ministry of sports has not has been able has come up with necessary funds, "quoting lack of adequate funds has pursue several other national commitments, including THE future All Africa Games holding In Accra, Ghana In March."

While there could to have has been a few money trim with THE recent achievements of Women's basketball team, D'Tigress WHO last year won A fourth consecutive Afrobasket title And follow up he up with qualification For THE Olympic Games In Paris, he has has been A tale of misfortunes For THE Men's team In recent years.

Next to Since missing out In World Cup qualification, THE Olympic dream Also sparkling out on House in front And NOW he has got worse as THE country will not be socket part In THE qualifier For A tournament as THE Afrobasket.

Apart Since emerging Afrobasket champions In 2015, Nigeria D'Tigers to have finished as runners up on four different occasions while affirming THE bronze three other times.

While a lot are taken against a current with This last development, THE ETFs appeals For a few level of understanding Since everyone In THE basketball family.

"THE advice of FBNB, calls has THE constantly growing Fans And lovers of THE game In Nigeria And THE diaspora has to understand THE terrible situation he find himself In see of THE economic challenges confronted by THE country," THE statement added.

THE Ministry of Sports Development has Again has officially comment on THE development.

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