London 2012: ‘D’Tigers Victory, Makes Case For Other Sports’

The Head Coach of Basketball in Ebonyi State, Kelechi Achu, has said that the recent feats of D’Tigers have made case for adequate attention to be given to other sports in the country.

Achu said this in an interview with newsmen in Abakaliki while reacting to the national senior male basketball team’s win over Tunisia in opening game of the ongoing London Olympic Games.

The team beat reigning African basketball champions Tunisia 60-56 on Sunday to maintain the country’s record of not losing to the North Africans since 1986.

Achu said the team had reignited the passion of fans in the Olympics which waned with the non-qualification of its male and female football teams for the Games.

“I watched the game in a viewing centre and the crowd turnout was as if a football match was being televised.

“With the elimination of the country’s table tennis players from the Games, the fans are looking up to the team to replicate the feats of the male soccer team at Atlanta ‘96’ and Beijing ‘2008’ Olympic Games,” he said.

According to the coach, the team has shown that with dedication and patriotism, Nigerian sports men and women can attain enviable heights in global sporting events.

“The team made history by qualifying for the event three weeks to the Olympics, yet they showed unbridled tenacity to keep their fine form even in the face of apparent fatigue.

“They traversed the length and breadth of the globe in search of the qualification ticket and after securing it, did not feel complacent but re-doubled their efforts for future challenges,” he said.

He urged sports authorities in the country to take a cue from the performance and pay adequate attention to other sports than football.

“At this period when our football has nose-dived, other sports should be encouraged for the country to retain its place in comity of world sports.

“If other sports are given half of the attention football receives, sports would be rapidly enhanced to contribute to overall national development,” he said.

Achu had charged the D’Tigers not be complacent as they confront other opponents in their group.

“The team should ensure it finishes among the best four in their group to stand a chance of playing in the medal-winning series,” he said.