Sports
D’Tigress Players Attribute Performance To Better Welfare
D’Tigress players have hinged their amazing run at the 2017 FIBA Women Afrobasket on a better welfare package plan put in place by the Engineer Musa Kida led Nigeria Basketball Federation during their preparation for the competition.
The team which camped at prestigious Protea Hotel, in Lagos and paid their camp allowances before the commencement of the competition acknowledged that such gesture was strange to them, which in no small way boosted their morale.
With the necessary motivation put in place, the players are determined to go all out and do the country proud by winning the tournament and booking a ticket to the 2018 World cup in Spain.
These were the sentiments shared by RC Celta Vigo of Spainpoint guard, Sarah Ogoke and Nkechi Akashili of Elephant Girls basketball of Lagos after their impressive run in the group stage of the competition.
Ogoke who was part of the 2015 Afrobasket campaign in Cameroon and the 2016 Olympic qualifiers in Nantes, France said the D’Tigress team has never had it so good where camp allowances were paid as at when due.
She commended the new board for doing everything humanly possible to motivate the team during their camping exercise in Lagos and the prompt payment of camp allowances few days after arriving in Bamako.
“I can definitely say that the new board has been working very hard to keep us focused on basketball which is a blessing and I hope that we can continue to do things the right way and improve, increase and raise the standard of Nigerian basketball.”
In her opinion, if the momentum can be sustained, it will not only turn Nigeria’s basketball fortune around in Africa, but will make the country a force to reckon with at the world stage with players more committed than ever.
According to Akashili, nothing works better in motivating players for any major competition than prompt payment of allowances and bonuses despite their willingness to serve their fatherland.
She explained that the conducive training exercise which saw the team camped in Protea Hotel and payment of camping allowances a day before departing the shores of Nigeria for the competition has ensured that the players have nothing to worry about apart from playing basketball and making the country proud.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
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