Sad day for Nigeria sports as FIBA confirms D’Tigress withdrawal from World Cup
...Mail steps in to replace Nigeria as heavy sanction set to follow
Photo: Logo of the defunct Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF)
Nigeria’s D’Tigress withdrawal from the forthcoming FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Australia was confirmed on Tuesday by FIBA and the world basketball governing body subsequently invited Mali to replace the country in the championship holding in September.
Nigeria has last month through the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development announced the country’s withdrawal from international championship for two years on the premise of leadership crisis within the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).
It is a decision that has polarized stakeholders with majority frowning against the withdrawal.
However on Tuesday, FIBA in a statement stated that due to NBBF’s failure to confirm its participation, it has asked Mali as the next ranked rank team to replace Nigeria.
In taking this decision FIBA noted that it was “informed about the decision of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to withdraw the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) from all international basketball competitions and activities for a period of two years.
“In subsequent communications with the NBBF, and despite FIBA’s request, it has become clear that against the circumstances created by the government’s decision, the NBBF is unable to confirm its participation in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022.
“Given the multiple strict deadlines that cannot be postponed in order to ensure the successful staging of a major international event (visa procedures, schedules, ticket sales, accommodations, friendly games, preliminary rosters, flight tickets, accreditations, etc.) and to protect the integrity of the competition, the FIBA Executive Committee has decided as follows:
“Nigeria’s withdrawal from the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 is confirmed. Mali, as the next ranked team from Group B of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, is invited to participate in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022.
“FIBA will announce whether there will be any other decisions related to the NBBF’s participation in other FIBA competitions and any potential disciplinary measures in due course.”
