The Nigeria women’s basketball team, D’Tigress have expressed disappointment and anger with the way the team has been treated by the the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).
The players have also threatened to boycott the 2022 FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament over the refusal of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to meet their demands.
In a video posted on microblogging site, Twitter, the women outlined the injustices that have been allegedly perpetrated on them by the outgoing board of the NBBF, led by Musa Kida.
A member of the D’Tigress, Victoria Macaulay wondered why their historic feat of winning three straight African titles has not warranted being invited to Aso Rock even if it is only for the ceremonial presidential handshake.
“First we want to thank the Nigerian Embassy in Cameroon for celebrating us. We appreciate you more than you know. Other than that, we do not feel appreciated or celebrated after achieving a historical feat. In 2017 we won the Afrobasketball championship and three days later we presented it to the father of the nation, President Muhammadu Buhari and his entire cabinet by the former ministry, Hon Solomon Dalung as customary with handshake. We have defended our championship and brought back the Cup in 2019 and 2021 but it’s historical but no invitation has been extended to the team to visit Aso Rock or a Presidential handshake, Why?”
Also, another member of the team, Promise Amukamara, faulted the claims by the Kida-led NBBF that the team is not being owed any monies.
“President of NBBF, Musa Kidi said that the Federation is not owing any players or officials allowances. This is far from the truth. The last time we checked, our allowances, bonuses , training grants and donations made by banks to players and officials and volunteers still have not been paid.”
On her part, Ezinne Kalu felt D’Tigress have been marginalized and that all their demands have been left unattended to ever since their former Team Manager resigned under cloudy circumstances.
“Ever since our general manager and team manager resigned, we feel like we have been marginalised. I have not seen a leadership like the former president, This one never really showed up for camps or competitions, to boost our morale. And we have significant concerns and issues that needs to be addressed, which he always give vague answers as if our concerns are not important to him. Musa Kida was not in Cameroon but somehow he showed up in Abuja to take pictures and to raise the trophy again for political gain,” she lamented.
Ify Ibekwe who shone brilliantly at the Olympics and also at the recently held FIBA Afrobasket Championship in Cameroon where D’Tigress were victorious opened up on the debt the players, officials and volunteers are owed.
“We are being owed USD 73,180 by the NBBF, USD 24,000 by the Ministry of Sports for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics grant and USD100,000 from donations from three banks in Nigeria,” Ibekwe stated.
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Atonye Nyingifa, explained that what has hindered D’Tigress’ chances of performing at international competitions especially at the last Olympics in Tokyo where the team lost all their three group matches despite showing the potentials before the Olympics that they could compete with the best.
“There is a lot of things that can be done to increase our chances of success, starting with our travel , our flight, our team uniform, making sure they are standard, two practices a day and not been able to access medical staff are some of the things we faced during the Olympics.
However, Sarah Ogoke also wondered why the team has not been to Nigeria for camping or major celebrations.
“Why has the team not been to Nigeria since 2019? We are wondering the same thing. We want to go back to Nigeria and for the last two years we have not been to Nigeria for camps or for any celebrations. It is customary that the team is to go home for major competitions so that we cam have more help.”
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COMMENTS
Nigeria’s sports federations are a cesspool of greed and corruption.
Wanton embezzlement of funds continues to remain a problem.
I thought the NBBF was superior to NFF ONIGBESE when it comes to team welfare. Hahahahaha, they are both cut from the same cloth!
Shameless, useless, incompetent, greedy, corrupt!
While shunning future callups may not be the best for their individual careers, it’s obvious that the girls have no choice now. They’ve been pushed to the wall, and they need to voice out their grievances.
Shameful times for Nigerians. We are being disgraced and embarrassed by our representatives in the sports federations.
It’s a shame tho. All the money is equivalent to like $210,000 for the whole team and this cannot be paid???? Well I expect our women’s basketball to go on a downward spiral from now on and any hope of inviting foreign born players might just start sinking with this corrupt act by the NBBF. Let’s say sports ministry is still dealing with their bs…… where is the money the banks donated???
Na assets na him dem wan allow go like dis o. Abeg make una try pay dem their money.
The problem of Nigeria is largely with us the people. Why are we not shouting and asking questions and fighting for justice just like its been done in other country. This is a big shame and those foolish official responsible for this corrupt practices must be fingered out and punished. We should be alert to our civic right and stop foolish politicians from destroying us. The small lad musa kida and the idiot dare must be questioned.
“….President of NBBF, Musa Kidi said that the Federation is not owing any players or officials allowances. This is far from the truth. The last time we checked, our allowances, bonuses , training grants and donations made by banks to players and officials and volunteers still have not been paid….”
The rate at which our sports administrators lie in full glare of the public is despicable to say the least. Earlier on, it was NFF officials coming out to say they have offset all players’ bonuses, only for Leon Balogun to come out to tell us that its a pure lie.
Of the 2 years arrears only the bonuses of the September qualifiers have been paid, but watch out for the next time you will hear an NFF official in the media claiming all bonuses have been settled.
I just hope we will not shoot ourselves in the foot with this brazen unmitigated corruption and infringement on the rights of our sportsmen.
“…Atonye Nyingifa, explained that what has hindered D’Tigress’ chances of performing at international competitions especially at the last Olympics in Tokyo where the team lost all their three group matches despite showing the potentials before the Olympics that they could compete with the best…..There is a lot of things that can be done to increase our chances of success, starting with our travel , our flight, our team uniform, making sure they are standard, two practices a day and not been able to access medical staff are some of the things we faced during the Olympics….”
But talkative sports minister was right there in tokyo enjoying his 5 star jamboree with his hand bag carrier ex-internationals, while TEAM NIGERIA was suffering right under his nose.
Shame.
What intrigued me most in this matter is the way these ladies presented their cases. It was logically and strategically laid down that an individual can not be sanctioned for it.Knowing how vindictive our government officials are,in this case there is no clear scapegoat candidate.I think the Basketball federation should do something quickly and promptly because DTigress have become not just a pride of Nigeria but for the entire Africa.So nothing must happen to DTigress GANG.
How did we loose it as a nation, it was not this bad growing up in the 80s menhhh.
…and some ignoramus will come on CS comments section and on twitter, instagram et’al to start abusing foreign born talents who choose other countries over Nigeria in sports. Are such dual nationality kids not vindicated or justified for camping else where instead of having to face emotional torture all in the name of representing Nigeria.
I would not be too surprised if Michael Olise eventually camps with Algeria (a more serious Nation by every standards).
#IDeyVexNoBeSmall
Shioorrrr kelebe