FIBA removes Nigeria’s D-Tigress from Basketball World Cup despite qualification

Following decision by the Nigerian government to withdraw the country from all international basketball competitions for the next two years, the sport’s world governing body, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has confirmed that Nigeria’s female national team, D-Tigress will not participate in the 2022 Women’s World Cup billed for Sydney, Australia, later in the year.

FIBA announced the decision in a statement on Thursday morning.

It would be recalled that leadership tussle within the Nigerian Basket Ball Federation (NBBF) had informed the decision announced by Minister of Sports, Mr Sunday Dare, who said President Muhammadu Buhari had agreed to withdraw Nigeria from competing in international basketball tournaments for the next two years.

Dare also said the withdrawal is part of efforts by the government ‘to revamp the sport from the grassroots.’

However, in response to the decision by the Nigerian government, FIBA has now moved to remove Nigeria from its World Cup tournament, for which the country’s female national team, D-Tigress had already qualified to compete in.

FIBA subsequently replaced Nigeria with Mali which finished runners-up in the qualifying tournament.

It would be recalled that D’Tigress had back in February, this year, qualified for the 2022 FIBA Women World Cup to be hosted later in the year after a 67-65 point win over world number five, France.

The 2021 Afrobasket defending champions led by Coach Otis Hughley did just enough to rally back from a 17-point deficit in the first quarter to snatch a win and book their second consecutive world cup outing with a game to spare.

Second quarter saw a more purposeful and dominant D’Tigress crawl their way back into the game with a 16-10 points win to close the first half 27-38.

Not comfortable with the scores, the team applied more pressure to win the third quarter 21-14 before another impressive 19-13pts finish in the 4th quarter to seal the win.

Victoria Macaulay shouldered the scoring burden on the night with 19 points while contributing 4 assists. The Galatasaray of Turkey centre also did some work defensively with 4 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 blocks to help the team secure its first ever win against France.

The French girls will not forget Oderah Chidom in a hurry after contributing 13pts, 5assts and 6rebs to avenge the 2020 Olympics and 2018 FIBA World Cup defeats.

Promise Amukamara and Adaora Elonu added 10 points each to seal a victory for the team.

However, in the statement, Thursday, FIBA said the NBBF ‘is unable to confirm its participation in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022.’

It added that D’Tigress would be replaced by Mali at the competition.

FIBA added that it “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.”

“FIBA 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.”

Meanwhile, distraught members of the D’Tigress had earlier called on the government to allow them to participate in the FIBA Women’s World Cup competition for which the team had qualified.

Ezinne Kalu, a player of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, Thursday said she was not likely to represent the country again.

The D’Tigress point guard said this via her Twitter handle, following FIBA’s pronouncement that Mali would replace Nigeria at the upcoming 2022 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Australia.

“I don’t think I will ever wear the green and white again,” Kalu wrote.

Kalu, alongside others, secured Nigeria’s place at the World Cup after beating Mali at the qualification stage in Serbia. But they will now be replaced by their African rivals following Federal Government’s suspension of Nigeria’s basketball from international competitions for two years.