Sports
‘D’Tigers Qualification Rekindles Interest In Basketball’
Basketball pundit Wale Aboderin has said that the last minute qualification of the National team, D’Tigers, for the London Games has re-kindled his interest in the basketball event of the Olympics.
D’Tigers early in the week defeated Dominican Republic 88-73 to qualify for the Olympics holding from July 27 to August 12.
The national men’s team was able to defeat fifth ranked Lithuania 86-80 in the preliminary stage and fourth ranked Greece 80-79 in the quarter-finals.
They woke up to the call to secure a ticket to the Games by shaking off the 77-88 loss to Russia by beating Dominican Republic.
D’Tigers now join Tunisia as Africa’s second representatives at the Games.
Other countries that have qualified for the Olympics are Britain, U.S., Brazil, Australia, Spain, France, Argentina, China, Lithuania and Russia.
Aboderin, the President of Dolphins Basketball Club of Lagos, said the victory would propel him and other Nigerians to watch the basketball event at the Olympics.
“Their qualification is absolutely wonderful. They surprised everybody; I thank God we got rid of some older players,’’ he said.
According to him, some of the new boys that propelled the team to victory have yet to be polluted by the system.
“Most of them are coming into the country for the first time. They are absolutely wonderful,’’ Aboderin added.
Also commenting, Felix Awogu, the General Manager of Super Sports, Nigeria, commended the efforts of D’Tigers, for overcoming their Dominican Republic opponents to qualify for the basketball event.
“It was quite interesting. I am excited, the players have made us proud, and our investments have not been in vain; they have equal chances of a medal at the Games.
“All they (D’Tigers) need to do now is to remain focused. They need to be properly motivated by the government to further raise their game at the Games proper.
“They were tactical in their approach and they will have to sustain the tempo at the Olympic Games.
“The boys are simply exceptional, their determination paid off,’’ Awogu said.
A former Chairman, Lagos State Sports Council, Agboola Pinhero, also commended the team and the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) for hoisting the country’s flag at the Olympics.
“I will say this is the first time the NBBF president is breaking the barrier by not using scouts but operated an open camp to select players,’’ he said.
Pinhero said the team’s qualification also showed that trial matches and adequate funding of training tours before the competitions had yielded good results.
He said that the D’Tigers’ performance at the qualifiers was a good omen for NBBF and the team.
“I will like to give kudos to the NBBF president, Tijani Umar and the technical crew of the team for a job well done,’’ he said.
A former player and coach, Alabi Adelanwa, said the team had proved that the country was a good basketball nation and that it could return with a medal.
“I hope the teams in their group will help our boys to go far in the competition,’’ he said.
On his part, the coach of Lagos-based Union Bank Basketball Club, Johnson Ayinla, described Nigeria’s qualification as unbelievable.
“I think our players have done the impossible with the little time they had to go through foreign training.
“By the grace of God Nigeria basketball will move forward from here because we are going to take advantage of this development,’’ Ayinla said.
The University of Calabar has been officially announced as the host of the 2026 Nigerian University Games Association Games, bringing the country’s most celebrated university sports festival back to Calabar after 35 years.
The announcement was made on Friday by Dr Michael Ajibua, Acting President of the Nigerian University Games Association, accompanied by Mr Yunusa Bazza, Secretary-General, and Prof. Musa Yakasai, Chairman of the technical committee.
The pronouncement was formally presented to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, in her office, with the Local Organising Committee led by Papa Enamhe and other key stakeholders in attendance.
Ahead of the official declaration, the Nigerian University Games Association delegation conducted a comprehensive tour of proposed venues, including the U.J. Esuene Sports Complex, where they inspected the basketball court, swimming pool, table tennis and squash courts, as well as the stadium pitch.
He praised the institution’s readiness, stressing that it already has world-class facilities capable of hosting the Games within six months.
Prof. Yakasai echoed this sentiment, affirming that 90 per cent of the facilities are already in place and emphasising that the University of Calabar is poised to host the best Nigerian University Games Association Games in history, just as it did in 1990.
The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the Cross River State Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Agnes Atsu, who pledged full support on behalf of the state government under Governor Bassey Otu.
She described the development as a welcome innovation aligned with the administration’s people-focused agenda.
In her remarks, an elated Prof. Obi expressed gratitude to the Nigerian University Games Association for entrusting the University of Calabar with the hosting rights.
President Bola Tinubu has thrown Nigeria’s weight behind clean energy and marine innovation as Lagos made history on Friday, hosting Africa’s first E1 electric powerboat race.
Tinubu in a goodwill message on Friday, quoted in a statement by Lagos Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, praised Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the sponsors for bringing the championship to Nigeria, describing it as a milestone for clean energy and marine innovation.
He said Lagos was making history as the first African city to host the E1 championship, joining Monaco, London, Jeddah, and Venice on the global calendar.
“This championship is not merely a thrilling spectacle on water but a statement of intent.
The President linked the event to his administration’s vision for the blue economy, noting that the government is committed to building prosperity around renewable energy, marine tourism, and coastal infrastructure.
“By investing in our coastal infrastructure, marine tourism, and renewable energy, we create jobs, open new opportunities for youth, and strengthen Nigeria’s place in the global community,” he added.
Tinubu, who described himself as a “proud Lagosian,” said the championship affirmed the state’s reputation as a bold and forward-looking city.
He added,”Lagos, the cultural capital of Nigeria, the heartbeat of our economy, and a symbol of our resilience, is the perfect host. Its vibrant waterways and dynamic people embody the spirit of competition, creativity and hospitality.
“I commend Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, his team, and all partners, particularly the E1 and sponsors of this event, for the vision and hard work that made this possible.”
At the opening ceremony held at the Lagos Boat Club in Ikoyi, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed that Tinubu, currently in Lagos, had expressed excitement about the event and would watch the final race on Sunday from his Ikoyi residence.
The opening day featured a boat regatta led by Sanwo-Olu and state officials, followed by shakedown runs by the competing teams ahead of the weekend races.
Sanwo-Olu said the competition was not only about sports but also a platform to showcase Lagos’ capacity for global events and sustainability.
“For us in Lagos, the E1 Lagos GP, the first to be held in Africa, is a befitting accolade to a sports-loving people and a government that knows the place of sports in human development.
“E1 Lagos GP is more than a race; it is a celebration of Lagos’ dynamism. The Spirit of Lagos. Besides, it is a vivid testimony of our growing influence and energy,” the governor said.
Flying Eagles captain Daniel Bameyi says Nigeria have the quality to win the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.
The defender expressed optimism despite the team’s rocky start to the tournament, which saw them lose 1-0 to Norway in their opening match.
Aliyu Zubairu’s side bounced back with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Saudi Arabia on Friday, with Bameyi converting a stoppage-time penalty to secure all three points.
The 19-year-old centre-back, who was named Man of the Match for his commanding performance, believes the win can inspire the team to glory.
“I’m happy we got the three points after losing the first game,” Bameyi told Tidesports source.
“Nothing is impossible in football. It’s a tournament that my country hasn’t managed to win yet, and I think we’ve got the quality in our squad to do what it takes.”
Nigeria face Colombia in their final Group F match on Monday, needing a victory to advance to the knockout stage.
The seven-time African champions currently sit third in the group with three points from two games.
Flying Eagles midfielder Daniel Daga, who plays for Norwegian club Molde, echoed his captain’s confidence ahead of the crucial clash.
“Our next game is against Colombia in the last group match. We hope to win again so we can move to the next stage,” Daga said.
The ideal scenario for Nigeria would be defeating Colombia while hoping Norway fail to beat Saudi Arabia, which would see the Flying Eagles top the group.
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