Some Basketball enthusiasts
at the weekend continued to laud Nigeria’s Senior Men’s team, D’Tigers, as they churn out impressive results ahead of the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Games.
The Nigerian team defeated their Chinese counterparts 80-76 in Houston on Friday, making it three straight victories in their build-up to the Games.
D’Tigers had earlier defeated Argentina 96-92, but lost 79-101 to the South Americans in the second leg encounter in Las Vegas.
The team will play the U.S. on today in Houston, including some other few closed door warm up games with U.S.-based NBA clubs to fine tune their strategies for the Olympics.
Patrick Omorodion, the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Media Officer, told newsmen that the team was in superb form ahead of the Games.
He said that in spite of the delay in the release of funds by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the team had continued to give their best.
“The players are wonderful; they deserve a lot of commendations in their zeal to give a good account of themselves, while wearing the national colours at the Olympics.
“Let us remember that the Ministry of Sports has yet to disburse funds toward their preparations; the team has to receive cash rewards for winning the 2015 Africa FIBA Cup in Tunisia.
“But for the well-wishers of the game, the team would have been in complete jeopardy.
“It is indeed a sad development that the ministry is not giving them and other athletes due support,’’ Omorodion said.
Head Coach, First Bank of Lagos Basketball Club, Peter Ahmedu, said that the players had shown that they were a set of serious professionals, yearning for Nigeria’s success at Rio Olympics.
“I am particularly impressed with the team though we cannot expect too much from them based on the calibre of other teams coming for the Games.
“They are definitely going to show their stuff, and what we are proud of is that they will surely fly the national colours at the Games,’’ Ahmedu said.
Former Head Coach of Lagos Islanders, Lateef Erinfolami, said the D’Tigers’ inclusion in the basketball event at the Olympics is a morale booster for the development of the sport.