The President of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Engineer Ahmad Musa Kida has called on sports lovers all across the country and in diaspora to rally round the female national team, D’Tigress, ahead of the FIBA Women’s World Cup.
Sports247 reports that D’Tigress, who have lost two games already in their build-up friendlies heading into the Mundial, will tango another Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) side, Indiana Fever this Saturday in the USA.
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Speaking ahead of this weekend’s game in Indiana, Kida admitted that losing is a setback but stressed that D’Tigress are still going through the preparation stage, hence his charge to all Nigerians to lend their support towards the team’s progress.
The NBBF boss added that D’Tigress need more backing in their quest for global success at the FIBA Woman’s World Cup, where they are drawn in Group B – one of the competition’s toughest pools – along with France, Hungary and South Korea.
Kida, who is also the chairman of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, pointed out that D’Tigress have consistently made the country proud and urged fans to extend to basketball the same level of passion they usually give football.
“D’Tigress have continued to carry the Nigerian flag with courage, discipline, and determination on the international stage. D’Tigress have earned that respect through years of sacrifice and success.
“This is the time for Nigerians everywhere to unite behind them. The same energy and passion we give to football should also be extended to basketball. Our athletes need to know that the country believes in them.
“Support is not only about cheering when they win; it is about standing with them before the competition begins,” said Kida, whose comforting words were followed by an equaling stimulating comment by the team’s coach, Rena Wakama.
The trailblazing female basketball tactician, who is currently away from the team on duties with Chicago Sky in the WNBA, reacted philosophically after D’Tigress’ 88-79 loss to Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday and earlier defeat by Los Angeles Sparks.
While her assistant, Wani Muganguzi leads D’Tigress during the tour, Wakama is keeping in touch with the squad and took to X with her reaction to both defeats, which she insists do not refute her confidence in the team’s bright future.
With D’Tigress now set to end their tour against Indiana Fever this Saturday, Wakama expressed confidence in the team’s long-term prospects, affirming that their development remains on track and she posted: “The future is bright!!!”
