Sports

Wheelchair Basketball: Team Nigeria may miss IWBF African Para Games qualifier in Ghana

By Maxwell Kumoye and Tobi Adepetu

Barely a month to the start of the 2023 International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) African Para Games qualifier in Accra, the Ghanaian capital all is not well with Wheelchair Basketball Team Nigeria’s build up to the Championship.

The challenges associated with Wheelchair Basketball Team Nigeria is in four folds.

★ Information management and Communications

★ Lack of funds for preparations and participation

★ Indebtedness to the continent and international governing bodies of the sport

★ Inadequate time and the will to right the wrongs and drive Wheelchair Basketball Team Nigeria to it’s desired HEIGHT and GLORY

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS

FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG gathered that the former Technical Director of Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation (NWBF), Tamuno O’Brien Adoki, is at the heart and centre of misinformation and miscommunication that may deny the country the opportunity to compete at the 2023 IWBF African Para Games Qualifier in Ghana next month.

We reliably gathered that after Tamuno O’Brien Adoki, failed in his bid to get the Presidency of Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation (NWBF), he has been hording as well as with holding useful information and correspondent between the continental body and Nigeria.

However, the former Technical Director, Tamuno O’Brien Adoki, denied having received any invitation but said, he had received a call from the international body.

He further stated that because the Federation were already in arrears of two years affiliation fees, he thought it was unnecessary to act on the invitation for the Qualifier in Ghana next month and neglected advising the board.

LACK OF FUNDS FOR PREPARATIONS AND PARTICIPATION

Since the Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation (NWBF), got wind of the situation and the date for the Qualifier, the president of the Federation, Mr. Tunde Popoola and his team has been running around the clock to source for funds for the trip.

“It’s been very challenging and equally difficult for the Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation (NWBF), to raise the much needed funds for the journey to Accra, Ghana next month,” the president said.

The participation at the 2023 IWBF African Para Games Qualifier in Ghana next month will cost Wheelchair Basketball Team Nigeria about 20,000 dollars. This include the two years arrears of affiliation fees, accommodation, transportation and other logistics.

To this end, the President of Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation (NWBF), Mr Tunde Popoola is appealing to the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development to come to their aid.

“We have the best male and female teams in the sub region and these special and gifted athletes have been training for close to four years now, if they miss this trip, it will be a huge blow for them and the country,”Popoola cried.

★ INDEBTEDNESS TO THE CONTINENT AND WORLD GOVERNING BODIES OF THE SPORT

We understand that the continental and the World Governing Body has graciously giving Nigeria the green light to compete for honours in Accra, Ghana on one condition, that’s for Wheelchair Basketball Team Nigeria to pay it’s arrears on or before the start of the Qualifier on the 12th of May, 2023.

It took the timely intervention and diplomacy of the new President of Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation NWBF, Tunde Popoola for the team to get a waver to compete at 2023 IWBF African Para Games Qualifier in Ghana between the 12th and 14th of next month.

The Wheelchair Basketball boss, is therefore appealing not just to the Federal Government but also to the corporate bodies as well as good and kind hearted Nigerians to throw their financial might behind the team.

“What I’m sure of is, we have a lots of well meaning individuals and a good number of corporate bodies in this country who are willing to help, am using this medium to beg for your support for Wheelchair Basketball Team Nigeria’s all important trip to Ghana next month.” He added.

INADEQUATE TIME AND THE Will TO RIGHT THE WRONGS

The Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation (NWBF), stumbled on the information concerning the 2023 IWBF African Para Games Qualifier in Ghana next month on the 22nd of last month, since then, the Federation and the players who are expected to represent the country have been putting in their double shift to shape up for the competition.

“Both the male and female teams are among the best in the world and conquering the sub region will not be difficult for Nigeria and the teams are ready to engrave the country’s name in gold in the former gold coast, Ghana,” the NWBF boss affirmed.

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