The Federal Government Monday received and hosted the Nigerian female basketball team, D’Tigress to a reception, following their feat at the 2023 FIBA Women’s AfroBasketball Championships in Kigali, Rwanda.
The female Nigerian team had won the competition on Sunday after defeating the Taranga Lioness of Senegal 84-74 in the final of the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket, winning the tournament four consecutive times.
The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, met with the team for a reception at the State House in Abuja and congratulated them on their triumph, according to a statement issued by Mohammed Manga, the sport ministry’s spokesperson.
Ms Tinubu remarked that Nigeria’s National Basketball Team, D’Tigress, had achieved history by winning the FIBA Women Afrobasket Tournament four straight times, making Nigeria the first country to accomplish the feat in recent times.
She went on to say that the team’s performance on the basketball floor was a result of hard effort, discipline, and dedication to excellence. This, she says, will inspire other people, particularly women, to pursue their ambitions.
Earlier, Ismaila Abubakar, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, hosted a reception at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
According to him, the Ministry’s hosting of the D’Tigress has become necessary due to the Team’s excellent success at the Tournaments, which has not only made them four-time African Champions but has continuously made the country proud.
His words
“We are proud of you. Your performances speak for itself. Let me urge you to double your efforts and consolidate on the successes we have achieved so far. I understand that as a nation, we are winning this competition four consecutive times”, he said.
Musa Kida, President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), mentioned in his remarks that the Team’s straight triumphs are due to their unwavering dedication and commitment to greatness in their games.
Rena Wakama, the NBBF Coach, also spoke, stating that the Team’s consecutive triumph from 2017 to date was gained through hard effort, resilience, and determination to succeed.
In her remarks, Amy Okonkwo, the Team’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), responded by thanking the technical team, Ministry officials, and the current Administration for providing them with the opportunity to demonstrate their talents in the world of sports.